Powder's head is pretty heavy. She's sleeping on my chest, drooling with her mouth partially open, facing me. It's disgusting but adorable. Like babies, who are inherently disgusting, loud, and stinky beings. They also are the embodiment of innocence, hope, and the possibility of a better tomorrow. Anyone who would look at a being, like a baby, as a tool to build and shape an empire as they see fit is nothing but a monster. I've scouted the factories and the mines. Most are filled with children, teenagers, and very few adults. Moving on from the mines is our sign of progress. Anyone who isn't charismatic enough to start their own gang either finds a new profession, joins a gang, or returns to the mines until they succumb to the fumes. Making it to adulthood is a sign that you are biologically and mentally superior. Surviving in the most toxic environments of Zaun, is everyday life. Then there is the factory. A tightly secured building, with the only way to know what's going on in there is to be one of Silco's pawns. To be within that monster's grip is a fate worse than death. Because once you are under his watch, you are either useful or disposable. Powder kicked at the ground and clenched her fist, raking her nails against the tough fabric of my jumpsuit. Running my fingers through her hair, I made sure not to get them caught in her braids. I have to stop this. I can't keep bringing the people I care about to the brink of desperation. This time was a warning. The next time I decide to sacrifice my family for selfish vengeance, I don't want to think about it. However, I have to accept it. My selfish decisions will cost me everything. Why can't I move on? I don't want to go back to being the rat, scavenging for crumbs and sleeping alone. Being alone. Powder fluttered her eyes open. Mine met hers. Our eyes locked for only a few moments. Within those few precious moments, we shared every unspeakable language that will possibly never be remembered, only fondly felt.
"You're okay," she said as a statement as she brought her hand to my face. It didn't hurt when she touched it. That's probably due to the ointment, but I believe that her gentle touch helped too.
"Now I am." I replied as I dared to sit up and instantly regretted it. My head throbbed something fierce. Damn, can that pink menace punch.
Powder looked disappointed. "I guess you can't go to school tomorrow then."
"Watch me." I challenged as I tried to keep gravity from crushing my head.
Powder frowned. "You can't be serious."
"As serious as a sucker punch." I chuckled and was punished with a sharp pain through my face. I recoiled in agony, and Powder held me down by my arms.
"You can't go anywhere like this." she correctly observes.
"I messed up." I confessed the obvious.
"Yeah, no kidding." Powder moved my head to get a better look at the damage. "Look. I know Silco isn't a good person—"
"He's a monster." I butted in, my hatred for him may never die, but pursuing him just might be the end of me.
She lowered her head to collect herself and used her other hand to pat my chest. "Just hear me out. Even though he's a monster, he and Vander are partners now. Do you know what that means?"
I exhaled in frustration and gave up. "Vander can run Zaun himself, if he wanted to."
"If he wanted to, he could, but he can't. You know that, don't you?" Powder speculated.
I'm under no illusion as to how much of a superior leader Silco is compared to Vander. The generosity of the average person is a liability. Commonly, utilizing fear is the most effective method of commanding others to fall under your command.
"That's it then. This is the way it must be." Admitting this out loud made the pain worse.
Powder breathed a sigh of relief. "That's the smartest thing you've said."
"1 plus 1 is 2." I recited.
Powder popped up and walked over to her workbench. Oh boy. If I psyched myself up, I could get to the top fast enough to call out for help. I just need to
She returned with a bag of goodies that clanked heavily when she dropped it to the ground. Digging into her bag, she pulled out unfinished parts of a device that had just begun its assimilation.
"Your pet projects?" I asked as I stubbornly tried to rise.
She looked up at me without moving her eyes. Her hands glided across the device, pulling, adding, and removing parts without her observing them. Instead, her focus is on me, watching my failed attempts to steady myself as I sat up.
"You need help learning your lessons," she insisted as her hands flew between the bag and her device. It's impressive how fast she's working. It's almost as if she's going to take it upon herself to teach these "lessons." This is what I'm talking about—creepy.
"You know, we have teachers for that." I reminded her as I pressed my back against the wall.
"They don't come to us," she stated.
"They can send a tutor, it's a feature on the card if I recall." I highlighted.
She continued to work on her device. Whatever it is, it looks nearly complete. It can't possibly be another bomb. Powder lacks the combustion material to trigger an explosion. Without it, it's just a fascinating timer, nothing more.
"I've noticed that you lack a combustion source." I stated, knowing that I got her.
"Is that what you think?" she asked as she finished the gadget that looks like a fat dog and then activated it by scratching its ear. It shook its arms, legs, and ears in an energetic fashion. There is a ticking sound this time that should be considered a defect. Don't want people to hear a possibly deadly bomb ticking down.
"Oh, that's such an adorable feature. How did you do it?" I asked.
Confusion struck her face as she tried to remember. "I don't remember writing it down, the way I did it, I mean."
I shook my head in disappointment. "Tisk tisk, Powder. You should always jot down your methods. They are called notes in the academy, that's going to be important, you know."
The device began to slow down.
Powder frowned. "You never write anything down either."
"You are correct; you have to be the shining example." I stated.
Powder pouted. "Why me?"
The device slowed even further.
"Because of you." I pointed at Powder dramatically. "Are the chosen one."
Powder looked slack-jawed at me and dropped her device, which had slowed to a near stop.
"I'm glad that you believe me too, because you are that special." I complimented, really.
She began smiling for a moment, then thought about what I said. Suddenly, she shot to her feet with a strange mixture of anger and jubilance.
"What. Do. You. MEAN. BY. THAT!?" Powder now stands over me with her fingers curled as if they were claws. The device stopped ticking, and nothing happened. I knew it.
"I meant exactly what I said." I raised my hands in defense of her dangerous-looking fingers. "You are a VERY special girl."
She sucked in her lips and looked to the side as she rested her hands on her hips.
"To me, anyways." I continued, which I wished I hadn't. The result of expressing how much Powder means to me was interpreted as an insult, and I was unjustly punished for it. Faster than what a normal girl her size should be able to move, she drove her thumbs into my armpits, causing me to pull my arms to my sides. By moving her thumbs, she ignited sensations I've never known I had. I don't know what to call this feeling. It was like being under the influence of those drugs, but without the pain. Or is this pain? At certain moments of me screaming and howling in laughter, there were moments of pain. Specifically, my ribs, lungs, cheeks, and the back of my head. These may be the areas that are largely affected by strong fits of laughter, as they trigger these muscles during such moments.
"How special am I now?" she asked.
I refuse to beg.
"Very." I forced it out through the laughter.
"Oh, really?" Powder's eyes widen in pure sadism as she further digs her thumbs into my armpits.
This is too much. I tried to flex my armpits, but I've never particularly trained them in any meaningful way, so the effort was a complete waste. She climbed on top of me like a demonic monkey. I backed away, nearly falling off the bed. However, that sparked a brilliant escape strategy. I rolled over till I fell off the bed. Powder lost her grip as me rolling naturally pushed her hands away from me. Using my hands to catch myself, I then guarded my pits with my upper arms by clamping them shut. Then I rolled over 4 times, making sure I kept Powder's position within my line of sight. She's following my every movement, staring down at me like a vulture awaiting their prey to surrender. Before she is able to make another move, we hear the door open.
"Powder? Owen?" It sounds like Vi, perfect.
As she walks down the steps, Powder looks at me with worry creeping on her face. I smiled, then played dead with my eyes open. Powder appeared shocked, perhaps upset that her game didn't play out in her favor.
"Hey, where's Owen?" Vi asked as she approached Powder, then her eyes fell to me. "Why is he on the ground?"
"He told a joke and laughed himself to sleep, for good." Powder explains it as if it were fact. I'm going to have to find out what kind of books she reads to have such a morbid imagination. She can't keep them all to herself.
Vi looked down at me. "Ah, I see."
Vi then walked over to me and knelt down. "I really liked him too."
My eyes are starting to itch.
"Yeah, me too." Powder knelt to the opposite side of me.
I am surrounded. Here I thought that Vi was here to help this time.
My eyes are burning.
"Oh, wait." Vi lowered her face to mine, peering into my eyes. It's getting more difficult to maintain my act.
"What is it?" Powder asked as she pushed both of her hands onto my chest, making me wheeze.
Keeping my eyes open for this long is making them burn.
"What? Is it possible? That he's...alive!?" Vi's acting skills could use some work; however, she was funny enough for me to break my act.
Vi gasped. "He is alive!"
Powder stood to her feet. "And I really wanted all of his stuff too."
"Cold, the both of you." I pointed at them, then reached my hands out. They took them and helped me up.
"Hey, are you okay?" Vi asked with a face full of concern. She reached her arm around me and pulled me into her.
"I'm alive, aren't I?" I replied.
She then pulled me into a hug. "I never want to hurt you like that again."
"Hey, I deserved it." I accepted as I hugged her back.
She exhaled. "I don't want to say that you were right in what you tried to do. I mean, I get it, he's a monster. But I talked to...him."
I pulled back to look at Vi.
"But not for that long. It was a few words, but he seems like he's changed for Zaun." Vi explained.
I inhaled deeply. "He's a business man for a reason. No one like him can get to where he's been without seeming passionate about the big picture."
Vi reached her hands out and placed them on my shoulders. It was strange; she massaged them while appearing to search for the right words to say.
"That cannot happen again, okay?" Vi slowly nodded while wrinkling her forehead.
I looked at Powder, and she shrugged. "I'm not understanding."
"What you did." she shook me slightly. "There is too much at stake. I don't trust him any more than you do. But Vander trusts him, and we trust Vander, don't we?" Vi asked as her eyes bore into mine. My eyes fell to my feet. I can't look at her anymore. I swallowed hard. Searching within myself, I can feel it, the desire is there. It won't rest until Silco is dead.
"I'm sorry." I whispered.
"Don't say that. Don't." Vi warned as she tightened her grip.
"I need help, I can't stop." I admitted, My face is getting hotter by the second.
Vi went silent, her grip being the only thing that let me know that she was still here.
"I'm going to stop you if you ever try anything like that again," she promised. I looked up at her again. This time, I had nothing in my mind; I had nothing to say. That might have been the worst thing she could have said.
Looking over to Powder, she appeared just as shocked.
"Do you understand, Owen? If you threaten Zaun's independence, its peace, I WILL stop you." Vi affirmed.
My chest, no, my chest. "Yes, I understand."
She pulled me into a hug again. "I love you, Owen. Don't make me do that ever again. Ever. Now come on, we're going to Jericho's tonight."
Vi lets me go and walks towards the stairs, leaving me shattered on my feet.
Powder walked into my line of sight. "It will be okay, come on."
She grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the stairs. I collected myself by the time we reached the others. I've been told that Jericho is a stand-up guy, but he scares the absolute shit out of me. Don't know how people can get over the maul on this guy. Always smiling, looming over people, I bet he enjoys it.
"What do you want?" a voice brought me out of my contemplations.
It was Claggor.
"I'll have what you're having." I answered as I watched Jericho do what he does best.
He raised a brow. "Are you sure?"
"I want to grow up to be just like you." I teased.
Jericho laughed as he continued chopping and throwing together ingredients.
"Everybody's a comedian." Claggor grumbled.
"It's only because I care." I commented.
Soon, the food came. I was handed slabs of grilled and seasoned meat. Honestly, it looks more appetizing than whatever Mylo was drinking down. While I consumed what I could indiscriminately, Jericho stole glances at me. I haven't visited this place often and also never ate here. If anything, I bet he's gauging whether or not I like his work. Nothing in my gut is fighting against this, so I suppose it has to be acceptable. The taste, however, is an acquired nature. There is nothing else like it. Then I hear him. I turn from the food he made me, to watch his monstrous mouth form words that I can't understand. But upon peering into his eyes, I saw everything that he wanted to tell me.
"You know, it's not what I expected." I complimented, I hope he heard that as a compliment.
He might have, because he spoke his language and lent his hand out. I placed my bowl in his hand, and he turned to his pots.
"Whoa, he's going to give you more." Mylo whispered in my direction.
"Seriously, that's what he said?" I whispered back, not wishing to ingest more of something that I haven't yet decided if I like it or not.
"That's what he's doing." Mylo informed as he snickered and ate his food.
Jericho turned back to me and handed me the bowl, filled with a soupy substance that glistened in the light with unusual intensity.
"Oh, me mush remlly mike oou." Vi commented with a full mouth.
Jericho made more vocal noise and laughed wholeheartedly and went back to work on his grill.
Not wanting to offend Jericho, I drank the soup. The fluids rushed down my throat with such an unnatural density that I had to fight to not drown. When I finished drinking the broth, it didn't feel as heavy in my gut. What a strange soup. Then the aftertaste hit me. It was an alien sweetness that edged an earthy, rich, moistness. I filled my mouth with the seasoned meat that was left. Chewing as fast as I can, I made sure that I was finished before everyone else.
"That was amazing." I couldn't feel my face, let alone my gut. "You, Jericho, are a gem."
I slammed two coins on the counter and walked away, trying to process this new sensation. It's like the grease inside is trying to rearrange my guts. There is no other way to explain this. Reaching the Drop, I slipped inside.
"Vander, WHY!?" I bellowed as I crashed to my knees.
"Why what?" Vander walked towards me and knelt down.
"Jericho." I told him as I struggled to contain myself from this strange agitation in my gut. It doesn't hurt at all.
"Jericho?" he repeated.
"HIS special dish." I exclaimed.
"Oh," he said, expectantly.
Vander stood up and walked to the bar and threw together a cocktail of something, shook it up, and poured the liquid into a tall glass.
"I always tend to avoid that dish. Here you go." He knelt down to hand me the glass. Trusting him, I took it and greedily drank it down.
"His dish is supposed to make you grow faster, his words, not mine." Vander explained.
I took a break from drinking. "He doesn't use words."
Vander held back a laugh. "Yeah. It took me a while to understand him too. Dedicate yourself to knowing him, and it will click. Finish the whole thing, Owen."
My siblings returned, watching me drink a familiar beverage.
"Okay, who put Owen up to this?" Vander asked, but I can hear the words spoken with a smile.
"What do you mean? Jericho served him an extra bowl." Mylo explained plainly.
"Free of charge." Vi added.
They sound so pleased with themselves.
"Alright, settle down for tonight." Vander took the glass and stood up.
I hear heavy footsteps.
"Let's go, buddy." Claggor picked me up like a baby.
"Traitor." I accused.
"Ouch." Claggor replied with joy in his voice.
I jumped out of his arms as soon as we hit the bottom. Then I remembered something and walked over to the contraption.
"I have something for you." I said with my back turned towards them.
"What is it?" I heard Vi asked. I can't exactly pinpoint her voice; however, I took a wild guess. Quickly I turned around.
"Catch." I tossed the dog-looking device to Vi, flipped towards a broken-down machine, and dove over it.
"What the?" Vi began.
"Oh, that's mine." Powder took it and threw it towards me. Of course, she has perfect throwing accuracy as well. It bounced off the wall and rolled between my legs. The mechanical dog opened its mouth and snapped wildly. Its maw actually looks pretty dangerous if you put your fingers in there.
"Now that is sweet!" I exclaimed as I grabbed the toy and approached Powder.
She backed away into Vi, who held her in place, giggling while doing so.
"Vi! Why would you betray me!" Powder raised her hands in defense as I approached her with the jaw-snapping dog.
"Wow! Powder! You made this?" Mylo asked as he stood next to me to get a better look at it.
"Yeah, she sure did. Here, get a closer look." I pushed the toy towards him. Mylo pulled the most agile maneuver I think I will ever see. He backed into Claggor and slipped between his legs and slithered away over the arcade machines.
"Whoa!" Claggor appeared envious of Mylo's sudden display of agility.
"Something to aspire to, huh?" I tossed Claggor the snapping device.
Claggor then showed off his hand-eye coordination, juggling the machine in fright while trying not to lose fingers. Laughter echoed off the walls as he tried to control the machine. Miraculously, he swatted it back to me.
"I am out of the game." Claggor raised his hands in surrender.
"Well, that's two down, two more to go." I declared as I turned towards the sisters.
"I think you've taken this too far." Vi whimpered with a smile as I approached them with Powder's creation.
"Only the chosen one can save you." I claimed.
"You mean Powder?" she guessed correctly.
"He means Powder?" I heard, Mylo asked as he returned from his arcade diving adventure.
"He means meeee!" Powder dramatically proclaimed as she fell to her knees.
"No Powder, please save me!" Vi plays her part rather well.
I knelt down to her level and slowly pushed the rabid doggy towards her.
"You know what must be done." I stoically intoned.
Powder fake cried in her hands as I brought the jaws towards her hanging braid. It nibbled on it, surprisingly not strong enough to cut it. Powder giggled and reached for the machine and used her knowledge to shut it down while her eyes were closed.
"You destroyed it!" Vi praised as she hugged Powder.
"What have I done! My baby!" Powder sorrowfully cried over the slain metal doggie.
"And scene." I clapped. "Great job, everyone." I stood and adjusted my invisible tie.
Claggor and Mylo applauded our incredible acting skills.
"Thank you, thank you." The sisters and I thanked our gracious audience.
"And let's not forget our guest acrobat." I pointed towards Mylo, and we all applauded him. Mylo pretended to blush and bowed.
"And last but definitely not least, our manager, who always tells us what to do." I pointed to Claggor, we all clapped and cheered.
"And I take the lion's cut, of course." He used his thumbs to pull at his suspenders and grinned in his glory.
I fell on my bed, allowing the jubilant atmosphere to wash over me. Vi grabbed the machine and picked at it in front of Powder, asking how it works. Mylo sat in front of her, listening and trying to understand Powder's explanation. Claggor and I relaxed in our respective positions, admiring the peak of sibling harmony. Something like this should last forever. If I ever beg for anything, I want this moment to drag on into eternity.
"Wake up, Owen." Vi shook me by the shoulders and placed a folded suit in front of me.
My eyes shot wide awake. I don't sleep as deeply as others might. If I ever needed to, I would visit my usual herbalist, which reminds me, I need to see her today. Looking over to my right, I see everyone in their uniforms already. Green uniforms—that's interesting. They give the children of Zaun green uniforms, and the topsiders have the blue ones. Got to keep them separate. The last of them already left, leaving me to change. As I revealed my civilized form in front of everyone, they had strange faces of restrained wonderment.
"Well, I'll be..." Vander was the first to express his wonderment. "You know, when I thought about you going to school, I never thought that you would do so willingly."
"Are you alright? Looks like you're going to pass out." Ekko observed as he walked towards me.
"Well, no, it's the collar. Am I supposed to button this?" I asked as he volunteered to unbutton it. I stressed my fingers red from trying to force that damn plastic thing through the hole. Thankfully, his skinny fingers freed me from possible strangulation.
"I will never button that again if I were you." he suggested as he returned to the group.
I followed him. "And never will again. Later, Vander."
"See ya, kids," he waved.
We walked down the streets of Zaun in our usual formation.
"Getting the feeling things are going to pick up." Ekko commented.
"Whatever it takes to keep things interesting," Powder hoped.
"You think they'll sort us into new rooms? Because of the results of that test." I asked.
"That makes sense. No other reason why they wouldn't," he concluded.
"I can think of a few." Piltover politics being the sole reason why. They tried to divide us but couldn't conquer us. So now, they'll try to divide and conquer us because we're kids. Well, they're going to learn just how we handle people who try to conquer us.
"Paranoid." Mylo criticized.
"And you all will thank me later for it." I replied as we arrived at the entrance of the school.
"Again. All I'm saying is to play nice." Mylo suggested as he walked forward into the school.
"I give them a head start, that's all I can promise."
"It's never boring around you." Claggor said as he rubbed my bald head, then followed Mylo.
"You forgot to make a wish." I called after him.
"What's the play today, Owen?" Vi asked as she searched for any sudden movements.
"If a slick man with an infected eye shows up for show and tell—" I began.
"Oh my goodness." Vi growled as she stomped off. Very rude.
"It's not healthy to get Vi angry this early, trust me." Powder warned.
"Yeah, I've seen her. She can get scary." Ekko added with low energy.
"I felt that scary against my face yesterday. Trust me, today will be a riot." I promised as we headed inside.
As I suspected, we were ushered into different classrooms based on our aptitude tests. However, they still managed to group us with kids around our age group. And even better, it looks like Powder and Ekko are in the same room as well. If we were assigned seats apart from each other, I would have to get creative in order to annoy them. As I took a random seat, I decided to choose a persona that takes classwork seriously. The people around me appear to be bright enough. I have no idea what Piltover education is all about, so I'll have to learn everything from them. Socializing is also one of my strong suits, but here? I can't communicate as I would in Zaun. Ekko talks to people every day. Powder can survive this no problem. Me? Not so confident that I can hold a conversation without sounding like a stick-up. The door flies open.
"Good morning, class." the door flies open and in came a Yordle. I've never seen one up close before. I always thought one would jump on my face and bite me. I never bothered to think deeply about why I think that. We all said our good mornings uniformly. He disappeared behind the desk and jumped to the top.
"My name is Professor Hal. I would like to formally thank you bright young minds for showing up today." He said with an energetic voice that betrayed his appearance. He is a meter-tall furry creature of pure white fur with pure black eyes. Upon looking around, the class is full of green suits. At least it's all of us.
"Today, we will dive headfirst into the physical making of our universe," he excitedly disclosed. The class ignited in hushed whispers of astonishment.
I'd admit that is a bit much for our second day of school.
"Now, now," the class quieted down. "It might seem like a tall order. However, I have great expectations for all of you. I will break down all of the secrets of the universe piece by piece. By the end of the year, you will find yourself in worlds you never would have imagined."
He finished the last word with a slight glance in my direction. I hardly caught that, doubt that anyone else caught that either.
"Now where do we begin?" he thought for a moment. "Ah, yes."
He then balanced himself on the support rack of the chalkboard and wrote out the most convoluted map of lines, shapes, and letters that I have ever seen. It took him 4 full minutes to finish it all. During that time, the kids around me tried to take notes. But just by taking a quick scan of the entire room, not many people tried. Most are beyond shocked. When he was done, he turned to us.
"Does anyone have any questions?" Hal asked as he met all of our eyes.
I raised my hand.
He chuckled. "How polite, yes, young one?"
"Owen. My question is...seriously?" I asked, perplexed that he would ask such a question.
His eyes widened for a full second, then he burst out laughing. The rest of the class laughed nervously as well. Powder turned her head and looks at me with the expression that said, 'Are you for real?' Ekko laughs loudly, so he fought to restrain himself from enjoying my shenanigans too much.
"Oh, you." He wiped a tear from his eye. "Your name is Owen, correct?"
"Yes." I responded simply.
"Why don't you come down here and stand next to me?" Hal requested.
I stood and walked down to stand beside him and faced the class; my moment had come.
"Now, Owen will be my assistant for the entire class today." He beckoned me forward.
I leaned towards him.
"Don't worry. Not picking on you, just absorb my lessons and you'll be fine." He winked.
With that, he began explaining in detail the ridiculously huge formula he had written across the blackboard. By the way, it took him nearly an hour to finish explaining. By the time he remembered to take a breath, he took a drink of his cup of water instead.
"Now, Owen. On the lower left side of the board, I intentionally left some details out of place. Would you mind filling in the blanks?" He asked as he handed me the chalk.
I took it and understood what he meant. If what he prattled on about is true, then this should make him happy. I walked to the center of the board to make sure that I was correct, then walked back to the lower left side. It took me a while to fill the answer in, mostly because I have never used chalk before. When I was done, I backed up to see if everything fit into place. Hal walked closer to make sure what he was seeing was correct. Then, as I thought I was in the clear, I returned to my spot.
"Excuse me." I requested.
After Hal backed away, I erased a few spots and reapplied my revised answers. Satisfied, I returned the chalk to Hal—at least I tried to. Hal analyzed what I wrote down, then walked back to the center of the board and back to the position of the equation. The kids behind me let off a mixture of giggling and murmurings. The silence is soul-crushing. On the one hand, I could melt in the amount of heat I'm giving off. My nerves are cooking me alive. On the other hand, I might have stunned the professor IF the answer I gave was correct.
"Brilliant." Hal finally declared, but it sounded like someone had cut his beard off with two sharp rocks.
"Professor?" I called out to him, but he seems miles away.
"Simply brilliant," he mouthed as if he had finished running around the world.
"That's good to hear." This was getting unnerving.
"Have a seat, my boy. We'll talk later," he promised.
Even through his fur, I can see his scowl. My talent for finding trouble is the only thing that's brilliant about me.