Piltover
"The Red Blossoms flowers can be used for any number of narcotics or poisons," Caitlyn frowned, seated with 'Ionian Flora' open across her lap. "That boy had to be working for a Chembaron. I don't believe he used it himself."
"You never know," a deeper, sympathetic voice echoed through the Kiramman lounge. "The Undercity is full of low lives."
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, her gaze rising from her book. "And here I thought you were for the people."
Jayce Talis. A young scientist with dark brown hair and blue eyes, in his mid-twenties, and native to Piltover. He and his mother were caught in a flash blizzard while exploring the northern mountains for new materials. It was there a mysterious wizard saved him and his mother's life by transporting them back to the sunny fields just outside Piltover.
Since then, Jayce became focused on combining magic and science, becoming a rising talent at the Piltover Academy.
"I am," Jayce nonchalantly replied, adjusting his cuffs. "My research and discoveries will improve their lives while my house and my name will go down in history!"
"Hmph. Is it the fame or the people that you truly care for?" Caitlyn closed the book with a skeptical tone.
"A bit of both," Jayce grinned. "What? I'm not allowed to enjoy success while I do it?"
"I think you'll do great," Caitlyn replied supportively. "But I think you get too wrapped up in yourself sometimes."
Jayce waved a dismissive hand but seemed to take her words to heart. For a moment, he looked out toward the window, watching clouds drift over Piltover's shining skyline.
"We should check out the stalls! I heard there's new wares from Shurima after the recent merchant ships."
"I... would, but not now," Jayce rubbed his chin, clearly distracted. "Hey, how about you help me carry this box of gadgets for my research? We can talk along the way."
For Caitlyn, this was a treat in itself. Not many were willing to interact with her due to her 'hobbies', so her social companion became Jayce.
Sure, he was narcissistic and arrogant, but he'd still entertain conversations with her without mocking what she enjoyed. At most he showed concerned, which she was fine with. He was one of the few people who didn't treat her interests as childish distractions.
Along the way while holding the box, she had to adjust several times to deal with the weight.
"Can't you hold this yourself? You're bigger and stronger than me!"
"Didn't you say you wanted to be an Enforcer?" Jayce smirked. "Can't take down bad guys with twig arms like those."
"My arms are not twigs! I've trained diligently to ensure I have adequate muscle to deal with brutes on the street!"
Jayce chuckled. "Adequate. I'm sure that'll help you against a brute my size."
Entering Jayce's workshop, she set the box down on the table. His lab was filled with all sorts of scribbles and texts she didn't understand. Circles with strange symbols and mathematical equations filled every empty space.
"I don't know what you're making," Caitlyn began with a concerned look. "But with how secretive you behave, using me to deflect Enforcer inspections, are you sure what you're doing is safe?"
"Hey now, want me to start questioning your ambition to become an Enforcer?"
She stiffened, looking down uncomfortably and then at the scribbles again. Jayce watched her carefully before sighing.
"Progress can be… tricky. If the wrong people find out when it's not yet ready, then it will all be over. I hope you can keep this a secret."
When he saw Caitlyn still looked hesitant, his tone became more persuasive. "In return... I can recommend you for the shooting tournament this year."
"You would do that?!" Caitlyn's attitude immediately changed, her eyes lighting up.
To attend the yearly shooting tournament, one needed to be recommended by other Enforcers or nobility. Caitlyn's family refused to endorse her to avoid further encouraging this terrible 'hobby', and Sheriff Grayson could not due to her status, to appear neutral.
"Do we have a deal?" Jayce asked with a sly smile, his hand outstretched.
"Deal!"
Caitlyn shook his hand eagerly, but added, "As long as what you're doing is not dangerous."
"Trust me, it's not dangerous so long as I'm careful. Once I'm finished, it will be completely safe and revolutionary."
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"Why do you think he hasn't been caught?" Jayce asked as they walked back toward the Kiramman Manor.
"Stop with the fake ignorance," Caitlyn snapped, glaring at his sly smirk. "It's obvious they're hiding him. Give it enough time and most people will forget since it wasn't a shocking crime."
"Yeah, you're right. But then why are you still thinking about it?"
"Because what he stole will lead to more problems!" Caitlyn vented, her brows furrowed in anger. "Sheriff Grayson recently busted a Chembaron producing Mist, a powerful airborne substance that induces fear in its victims."
"Now we'll have... more. Many more. This flower was perfect for creating problems!"
"So what do you think Grayson can do to find it?"
Her fuming went quiet as she pondered, then snapped her fingers, eyes widening with realization as she turned to Jayce.
"Gardens! To grow more they need clean water and sunlight! That eliminates plenty of locations in the Sump and Entresol!"
"Oh really?" Jayce grinned. "I think I should tell her all about this and how my brilliant mind solved the case."
"Don't you dare!" Caitlyn hissed, jabbing a finger into his arm. "I'm telling her!"
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-Back down in Emberflit Alley-
Orion frowned at Isha, not even seven, who sat on his couch gripping her miner's cap like her life depended on it. She was bruised, cut up, and painfully thin with an unhealthy complexion.
'How do you take care of kids in the Undercity? There's no formal school system...'
"What will I do if I'm not working in the mine?"
'Good question. What to do? I have to go to Factorywood tomorrow... I need to ask the gang for help.'
"I'm hungry. Do you have any food?"
'Fuck. I need to make more money now too.'
"I have some upstairs. We can grab some food in a bit. Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to some friends too."
"Friends?" Isha asked, tilting her head while matching her words with sign language.
Orion watched her hands forming the signs and nodded.
"Yes, friends. They'll play with you and keep you company tomorrow."
"I thought you were taking care of me?"
"I am, but not tomorrow."
"Oh..." she muttered dejectedly.
'I need to learn how to create clean water with my magic too,' Orion thought, eyeing her dirt-streaked face and pale complexion. 'She could get sick and die otherwise.'
"Have you seen my parents?" Isha suddenly asked, her eyes glinting with hope.
"No, I'm sorry," Orion replied stiffly, watching her deflate like a popped balloon. "What do they look like? I can ask around."
'Most likely the Hush Company. That or just like my parents...'
After that, Isha launched into a long explanation of how her parents looked. Most of her descriptions were too vague, like:
"They were taller than the sink! And the sink was tall!"
Some details helped, but there was a lot of digging he'd need to do with resources he didn't have.
'I can't deal with this alone. Not with C around. C might even be a part of this, I don't know. Isha's background was never detailed in Arcane!'
'I need Vander's help.'