3:41
They were ten minutes late. They told him they wouldn't be any later than 3:30. He started tapping his foot as he could slowly feel his anxiety build. He would take turns looking between the alley entrance, and a pocket watch he held that some would deem too valuable to be carried by a citizen of the undercity.
3:45
He stood from a crate he had been sitting on and started to pace, brushing his dark brown bangs out of the way of his amber eyes. Should he have gone with them? They always asked him to whenever they were about to do something criminal, and every time he refused. However, he still looked for a way to help them that was away from the action. It helped with his conscious, even though he knew his brother would still be upset, and say something along the lines of "he was an accomplice to the crime."
At 3:50, 4 figures turned the corner of the alleyway entrance. They approached slowly, and appeared to be worn ragged. Unfortunately for him, he could smell them before he even recognized their faces, but knew who they were all the same.
Alek: You smell like garbage
He snapped his pocket watch close, and faced them with a smirk.
Vi: we had to take a bit of a detour
Alek: And that detour had to be through the sewer? I thought you said last time was the last time you were going through there.
Mylo: That's what I said.
The lanky teenager was clearly disgruntled, but Alek ignored his attitude. Mylo always found a reason to complain
Vi: Whatever, we got a real nice haul, and we ran circles around the enforcers. So how bout you? Did anyone weird looking follow us?
Alek furrowed his brows and looked down at his boots in thought, appearing slightly bothered.
Alek: No, but not a single person came through. This alley is usually busier. I thought I'd at least see a few homeless.
Mylo: Don't be so paranoid Alex.
Alek frowned as the Vi, Mylo, and Claggor walked past.
Alek: It's Alek
Mylo seemed to ignore him. Mylo constantly got his name wrong, and Alek couldn't tell if he was just trying to be a jerk, or if he just didn't care.
Alek continued to frown, but his frustration started to dissipate as he felt someone fall into step next to him. He didn't even have to look to tell who it was. He let his frown go as he grinned at them as they walked together.
Alek: Did you grab anything good Pow Pow?
The bluenette next to him gave a small giggle as Alek felt a slight blush on his neck in embarrassment. He forgot that Powder always thought it was funny the way he said her nickname with his accent.
Powder: I sure did! The guy we robbed was an actual inventor. Like, blueprints and gizmos all over the place. I even found something really cool that I gotta show you later.
Vi: Powder! Keep it down. We shouldn't talk about this stuff til we're back home
Powder: Sorry...
The girl turned to looking more down then she should for just being told to quiet down. A tell tale sign for Alek that Mylo had been being a jerk to her as usual. He gave her a slight elbow to grab her attention.
Alek: Hey, I ran some equations for those new smoke bombs you said you wanted. I can bring them by a bit later if you want.
Powder smiled at this. She hated math. Whenever she invented a new gadget, she tended to just use her best estimate for measurements and typically it was right, but occasionally they would misfire or just be duds. Alek had suggested that it would help to be exact, but Powder didn't want to dull her hobby down with numbers so she asked Alek to do it for her. He had agreed very quickly.
Powder: Cool! I already have a great idea for its shell. I'm thinking about naming it Whisker.
Some chit-chat continued between the two, while the older teens remained mostly silent. Vi and Claggor's eyes darting around watchfully, while Mylo seemed to just be inspecting his nails.
The group continued mostly in silence for several minutes on their walk back home. Until the silence was broken by a lone blonde teen loitering on the side of the street.
?: Nice haul?
Mylo: you could say that
Alek pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Why? Why would you answer him?
?: I heard there was some action across the river. Someone really kicked the nest huh?
Alek's eyes shot open. We're they followed? But that alley was a must-cross to have followed the others topside.
Vi: Is that so?
Vi stops short. Two other teens now blocked the group's path back home
?: But, now you're tracking this mess of yours through my streets...
Vi: Your streets? What makes you think-
Claggor: Listen, we don't want any trouble, okay?
?: Heat that Deckard? They don't want any trouble
Deckard: You know, in my experience, trouble finds you. There's no reason this has to get ugly, how bout you share a little taste of your treasure and we'll call it even
Mylo: No no, we worked too damn hard to-
Vi cut him off with a hand on his should. She moved past him with the bag on her shoulder and approached Deckard
Vi: Just a taste?
Deckard: Just a-
He was cut off by just a taste.
Vi threw the bag to Powder, and an all out brawl began between the 3 teens and Deckard's gang. Mylo was thrown to the ground while a few ganged up on Claggor.
Claggor, with his large build, was made for fighting. He shoved and threw and stomped on anyone who made a move at him.
Vi traded hands with Deckard and Mylo was starting to gain the advantage with his opponent. He threw him off and delivered a brutal forearm to the face.
Claggor continued to kick ass, delivering brutal blow after blow. He grabbed one in a headlock before crashing a fist into their face and throwing him forward.
Right at the feet of Powder and Alek.
The teen saw the goods in Powder's arms, quickly recovering himself to take them from her.
Alek: Time to go
He grabbed Powder by the hand and pulled her away from the fight, into a side alley that he knew led towards the docks.
They ran as fast as they could, but their chaser was older and his longer legs made it problem to actually keep much distance from him.
Powder shoved some crates over that smashed into their pursuer's head.
Alek: Nice!
They were at the docks before they knew it and Alek knew a shortcut where they could shake their pursuer.
Alek: Take a left Powder. I know I way to lose him.
She did as he said and led them to another corner. They took a second left and Alek knew he screwed up.
Cargo blocked their path.
Alek: Shit.
They hugged the wall, hoping that the teen chasing them would think they took a right. But in doing so, Powder nudge just enough to knock it over, giving away their hiding spot. Powder rustled through her pack and pulled out her nail bomb Mouser.
Powder: Come on Mouser, we need you!
Powder twisted the top and threw Mouser at the feet of the teen. Mouser clicked down until the firing mechanism was released and it exploded...
...with glitter.
Powder: No!
Alek gritted his teeth. He wracked his brain trying to think of some clever solution that didn't involve them both getting a black eye, but he could only think of one.
Alek: Ok, new plan. When I say run, you run Powder.
Powder: Alek, what are you doing?
Alek picked up the falle and stood his ground as the older teen approached with a chuckle
?: you're out of your depth kid.
Alek stepped forward and swung th at the teens shoulder. A swing that was easily blocked. But Alek had been ready for that. After the swing he kicked his groin as hard as he could.
Alek: Run Powder!
The teen doubled over for a moment, but the motivation the loot gave him allowed him to fight through the pain as Powder flew past. He turned to give chase but was tackled from behind.
Alek, on the back of the teen, gave him a sucker punch to the back of the head. It was enough to stun him for a moment and gave Powder enough time to disappear from sight.
The teen realizing that the loot was gone now, threw Alek off his back and grabbed him by the front of his shirt. Alek knew what was gonna happen next, but at least only he, and not Powder, was gonna get a black eye.
Or more than a black eye.
—
Powder met up with the others at the lift and was almost in tears, but had the goods intact.
Vi: Powder, you're okay!
Powder ran forward and buried her face in Vi's arms and began to cry.
Vi: what is it? What's wrong?
Powder: Alek told me to run. I didn't want to, but there wasn't anything I could do.
Vi took a moment to comfort her younger sibling before turning to Mylo and Claggor. She took the bag off of Powders shoulders and handed it to her two brothers.
Vi: I'll go back and look for him. You two take Powder back home. Powder, where did you see him last?
Powder: Down by the docks, but wait, I want to go. This is my fault! I tried to fight him off with Mouser but... she didn't work...
Mylo: No surprise there.
Vi shot an ugly look to Mylo, who raised his hands up in surrender and sighed.
Mylo: at least she got the stuff back here...
Vi turned her attention back to the younger girl. She put a hand on her shoulder in comfort. She knew Powder wanted to help, but if their attacker was still around, it would make it easier to just protect one rather than two.
Vi: I know you're worried Powder, but Alek's gonna be fine. He's tougher than you give him credit for.
Alek: Well, don't I feel special.
The four turned to see Alek enter the building. He had a black eye, and blood pouring from his nose and staining his shirt. The blood also camouflaged a split lip. He was clutching his midsection with one arm and walked with a slight limp.
Powder immediately brushed off her sister's hand from her shoulders as she ran towards Alek. She crashed into him and wrapped her arms around him. Needless to say, Alek wasn't really in great shape to support his own body weight let alone 2 of them. He grunted in pain from the impact to the bruises he most likely had under his shirt as his knees buckled and he toppled over, bringing Powder along with him who gave a yelp at the sudden fall.
Powder lifted her head off of his chest and her eyes widened in realization of just how dumb what she did was. But, she was just so relieved that he was okay. She couldn't stand thinking someone got hurt because of her, especially Alek. She rolled off of him and immediately tried helping the injured boy to his feet.
Powder: I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! That was really stupid! But are you okay!? You look horrible! I'm so so sorry!
Alek grunted through his teeth as Powder pulled him to his feet and Claggor came around to steady him. He gave a half hearted chuckle through heavy breaths.
Alek: Don't worry about it. It looks worse than it actually is. Honest. I don't think my brother will be too happy when he sees this though.
Mylo scoffed and folded his arms.
Mylo: Yeah I'm sure Alan's non-existent brother is gonna be real pissed.
Alek frowned. Although Mylo voiced the thought, it was something that had crossed all of their minds. Alek spoke of his brother on occasion, but despite that, not a single one of them had actually ever seen him. Even Vander hadn't recognized his brother's name. Most people thought that Alek made him up as an excuse to stay out of anything too dangerous or when Vander would insist he move into the Last Drop when he finally took noticed that Alek, when outside of the group, was often alone.
However, Alek's brother was real. It was just safer to keep some of the specific details to himself.
Alek: It's Alek, you jerk
Mylo rolled his eyes and turned to make his way toward the lift with the bag in hand.
Mylo: Whatever, the kid is fine. Let's just sneak this back home before what happened gets around to Vander.
Alek: What do you mean, what happened? We all have been in fights before. He knows that.
Vi: Don't worry about it Alek. And thank you. For looking out for Powder.
Mylo: Yeah, good job hero boy. Anything for your princess, right.
Alek felt a blush creep on his neck. Alek often found himself at the receiving end of his teasing, typically when it came to him and Powder. Mylo and Vi would often joke that Alek would come running at the drop of a pen when it came to Powder. He didn't exactly see their point. Powder was his friend. Why wouldn't he?
Alek: shut up, come on Claggor.
Alek began to walk keeping most of his weight on his left leg while Claggor supported his right. Powder kept close behind with worried eyes on Alek as they all climbed onto the lift and began to descend.
Mylo: Gotta admit, I was worried for a bit. I was just waiting for the moment when Powder would jinx this job.
Powder turned to Mylo with furrowed brows. She hated that word, and Mylo knew it.
Vi: Drop it Mylo
Vi lifted her hood over her head to keep a low profile as they exited into the downtown of the undercity. There was a good bit of hustle and bustle out tonight, but the undercity never really slept. The city was lit only by neon lights littered throughout the streets and a haze lingered around every corner. Street vendors, bars, and shops lined the buildings, and every person you passed seemed to have the intention to rob you. Mylo did his best to keep the stolen goods discreet.
The businesses around were all pretty varied. From simple fruit stands, to exotic animals, to concealable weapons, restaurants, to even the occasional brothel.
At the end of the street was the local pub. This wasn't just any pub though, it was THE pub. The Last Drop was the place to be for anything. Sure, it was a nice dive, but it was also the meeting place for business, info, jobs, and even community problems. The reason for that was because of the owner. Vander was the leader of the underground in everything but name. Sure, they were all technically citizens of Piltover, but that was in name only. Everyone looked to Vander here.
The Last Drop was also Vi, Mylo, Claggor, and Powder's home. Alek knew none of them were Vander's actual children, but they saw him as a father all the same. He wasn't sure how Mylo and Claggor ended up here, but he knew about Vi and Powder. Or at least the gist of it. Powder told him once but she was too young at the time to really paint a vivid picture for him, but he could tell it wasn't exactly a happy memory. So, he never even tried asking Vi.
The five entered the bar as discreetly as possible. Alek tried his best to walk without leaning too much on Claggor and crossed his arms over his chest and tucked his head down to try to hide the blood on his chin and shirt. The five moved quickly across the bar floor to the door that led to the basement. Alek hopped down the stairs on his left foot while holding onto Claggo's shoulder for support. Claggor let Alek down on the beige couch before moving to a couch on the other side of the coffee table. Mylo sat next to Claggor, and Vi took the armrest. Powder sat down last next to Alek after grabbing some spare wrapping Vi kept for her knuckles.
Powder: Take your boot off
Alek: Isn't that just gauze wrap?
Powder: Well, yeah but we don't have a splint, so this is the best we can do to keep your ankle straight.
Alek sighed and removed his right boot and turned on the couch, placing his foot in Powder's lap.
Alek: Yes Doctor Powder.
Powder began to wrap the foot.
Mylo: so where should we stash this stuff until we can get it over to Benzo's?
Vi: We'll just hang it in the rafters, and not another word about the job. Vander hears none of this.
?: Vander hears none of what?
The basement door opened and in walked the man himself. Vander stood tall with a stocky build. He was quite the intimidating figure despite his calm demeanor.
Vi: ...Nothing...
Vander's eyes wandered to Alek. He saw the obvious injuries. Alek looked down, becoming extremely interested in some small gaps between the floorboards.
Vander: ...is everyone all right?
Mylo: Never better
Vander: Good... I don't suppose you can explain it is why I'm hearing about an explosion and a foot chase topside. Four children fleeing the scene... What the hell were you thinking?
Vi: That we can handle a real job
Vander: A real job?
Vi: We got our own tip, planned a route, nobody even saw us!
Vander: You blew up a building!
Vi: That wasn't-
Vander: Did you even stop to think what could have happened to you? Aye! To them!? My god just look at Alek!
Vi: Alek didn't even go topside with us!
Vander: Good on that! Alek's the last one who needs to be caught committing crimes topside!
Alek's attention shot back to the conversation in worry. Vi covered her mouth and turned away in a bit of shame. Vander rubbed his temples.
Vander: where did you even get this tip?
Everyone's eyes shot around the room, looking anywhere but at Vander. No one really wanted to answer, so Powder took the initiative. She kept her eyes down adjusted the wrap that was now compressing Alek's ankle. It was already perfectly adjusted, but she did so out of nervousness rather than need.
Powder: ...We just heard it at Benzo's shop
Vander: From?
Powder: ...Little Man...
Vander sighed, holding back his frustration. Vi stood when it felt Vander was close to losing his temper.
Vi: I took us there! If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me, but you're the one who always says we have to earn our place in this world!
Vander: I also told you time and time again, the north side is off limits! We stay out of Piltover's business!
Vi: Why! They got plenty, while we're down here scraping together coins! When did you get so comfortable living in someone else's shadow?
Vander: Everyone out.
Alek didn't have to be told twice. He slipped his boot over the wrapping quickly and had Powder give him a boost to stand. The wrapping kept his ankle stiff, allowing him to put more weight on it, letting him walk on his own only with a slight limp. Before leaving he grabbed a pack of cigarettes and lighter he left on an end table before climbing the stairs with Powder in tow. He passed by Claggor and Mylo who had decided to wait by the basement door, no doubt to eavesdrop. He needed some fresh air. Or as fresh of air you could get in the undercity.
He opened a door at the back of the bar the led to a side alley before grabbing a cigarette from the pack and lighting it. He started smoking a few years ago when a bar patron left a pack on a pool table after last call when he was crashing there for the night. He always saw thugs at the bar doing it and he thought it looked manly and cool. Vander wasn't too happy when he found him later having a coughing fit in the same side alley he stood in now. Vander tried to reprimand him, but Alek just got angry and shouted how Vander wasn't his Dad before storming home. If he was honest, in hindsight, he wish he had listened. He was often annoyed by the nicotine tic he would get.
Powder walked out the door right behind him. Looking around the alley to see if anyone had disposed of any new scrap metal she could use for new contraptions. The two stayed in a comfortable silence for while, until Powder searched everything she could. Unfortunately, she only found a single piece that she deemed usable. When she reached to put it in her pouch, she found it was already full. She pulled out one of the shining blue stones she had stolen, catching Alek's attention.
Alek: What is that? A sapphire?
Powder pulled her focus away from the blue glow to her friend.
Powder: This is what I wanted to show you earlier! I found it at the place we robbed!
Alek: But what is it?
Powder: ...I'm not sure...
She turned her attention back to the glow, mesmerizing by it until the allure was broken when the door opened revealing Vander and Claggor carrying their stolen goods. Powder stuffed the stone back into her pouch before Vander could see. Vander and Claggor turned to leave, but Alek stopped them short.
Alek: Hey Vandor, can I ask you something real quick? In private?
Vander: ...Alright, but be quick. We're in a bit of a hurry. Claggor you go on ahead, I'll catch up.
The two walked a good ten feet away. Powder went ahead and walked back through the open door before closing it behind her, while Claggor turned his attention in the opposite direction .
Alek: ...you mentioned me and topside stuff earlier...
Vander: ...And?
Alek: We'll I haven't exactly told them yet.
Vander: You haven't? You told me two weeks ago!
Alek: Yes, but that was because you were pushing more than usual to join your little band of misfits.
Vander: What was I supposed to think? Your brother is never around. I had every reason to think you were abandoned.
Alek: Fair enough, but there isn't a big reason why they HAVE to know
Vander: Kid, they're your friends. They wouldn't take advantage of you like that
Alek: I know, but they might not take it well. They hate topsiders. What if they look at me different if they know my brother is one?
Vander: Kid, none of them have the heart to hold that against you. Not even Mylo. Don't worry so much about it. They'll come around.
He placed a hand on Alek's shoulder for support. Alek sighed in defeat.
Alek: Alright, I'll get around to it. Later though. Thank you Vander.
Vander: Anytime kid. You're always welcome here. I won't mention it again until you come clean.
With that, Vander turned to follow Claggor to wherever they were headed. Alek sighed. He was exhausted, he had a headache, and he still hadn't washed the blood that had dried over his mouth and chin off. He turned on his good heel back towards the Last Drop to clean himself up and say his goodbyes before heading home. He had a big day tomorrow. He was heading to Piltover to visit his brother, as he did every other weekend.
Alek walked into the bathroom quickly washing his face in the sink before wiping it down with a few paper towels. He dried his hands and made his way out and towards the basement when he almost walked straight into Powder as he turned the corner. She was clearly upset.
Alek: Hey Blue, you alright?
Powder: ...It's just Mylo...
Of course it was. That guy just couldn't keep his mouth shut. We were all just so useless compared to his royal highness.
Alek: What did he say?
Powder: Just that Vi was "twice the person at half my age"
Alek: Mylo measures people like a caveman, Powder. If you can't fight or steal, you're worthless. There's more to life than base violence.
Powder gave a small giggle at such wise words coming from someone not much older than herself. It seemed so out of place.
Powder: Where did you read that one professor?
Alek smiled back.
Alek: My brother told me that. You're not the first to be bothered by that fat mouth of his. Don't listen to him. I think you're awesome, Powder.
Powder's pale skin gave way to an obvious blush. She leaned forward and hugged the boy in front of her gently this time.m, knowing his chest was probably just as injured as his face.
Powder: ...Thanks Alek...
Alek: no problem Blue. I've always got your back
Powder: ...promise?
Alek: I promise.
She smiled knowing he was always true to his word, or at least he tried to be.
Alek: well, I have a lot to do tomorrow, so tell Vi goodnight for me please. I'll stop by tomorrow to give you those equations for Whiskers, okay?
Powder smiled.
Powder: Okay, see you later Alek.
Alek: Goodnight Powder
Alek left the Last Drop and made his way home. His apartment was pretty close to the bar. That was by choice of his brother who knew that the area around the Last Drop was the safer area of The Lanes. Alek entered the building just down the street and took the elevator up to the top floor. He had asked his brother to get a unit on the top floor when he was younger because it would have a better view. Years later, Alek wished he had gotten a unit closer to the bottom floor. The Lanes didn't exactly have any good views and the elevator was very slow which just caused a overly long ride back home.
The elevator dinged and opened revealing a hallway revealing four units. Two were vacant and one was occupied by Ms. Evelyn, an old lady whom his brother had asked to keep an eye on Alek in case he needed anything. She tended to sleep all day and often it was Alek who had to check on her to make sure she was okay rather than the other way around.
Alek fumbled with his keys until he finally grabbed the right one and opened his front door, revealing a clean two bedroom apartment. It was very nice for the undercity, but his brother said it only cost a fraction of the price a flat topside would cost. There was a modest kitchen and a rather spacious living area with relatively nice furniture. One bedroom that looked well lived in, and a guest room that remained relatively untouched except whenever his brother was visiting or when Powder visited and felt too tired to head home.
Alek began preparing for his day tomorrow. Picking out clothes that would fit in with Piltover, packing toiletries, as well as books his brother gave him to study on his own. Most of them were left untouched except for the one on chemistry. Alek loved chemistry. He had even asked for extra chemistry books after he had read through his first one twice.
Alek packed his documents next. These were the main reason he didn't talk about his brother much. These documents were extremely valuable and virtually impossible to get this side of the bridge. His brother had gotten him a travelers permit for the bridge checkpoint. These were typically reserved for northsiders who visited the Lanes, but his brother had gotten an exception. He also was given a letter of safe conduct signed by Councilor Heimerdinger himself, allowing him to basically tell any enforcer who bothered him to back off. And they had to listen to it!
Needless to say, if anyone in the undercity knew he had these, he'd become an immediate target. Best case scenario, they'd just offer him a job to smuggle. Worst case, they'd kill him. Even a permit made out to someone else's name was valuable.
With all things laid out and set for tomorrow, Alek cleaned his wounds one last time, and inspected the injuries under his shirt that he hadn't had the chance to yet. He was happy to see they weren't as bad as he was expecting. Alek took a quick shower, swallowed some aspirin and went to bed, ready for a new day.