Alek woke with a grown from the aches in his midsection. The bruises that he hadn't thought looked and felt too bad the night before, had a second wind. Perhaps it was from the adrenaline the day before mixed with aspirin that gave him the notion because now, they hurt as if they were brand new.
Alek took a few more aspirin before laying face down in his pillow. He wanted to get ready first thing, but he needed a few more hours to wallow and rest. His brother would understand, although be relatively annoyed.
Alek spent the morning lounging around, only leaving his bed to use the restroom or grab some toast from the kitchen. When he couldn't push his schedule back any further, he forced himself out of bed and into the shower.
Alek always tried to look his best when he made his way topside. It made the checkpoint experience relatively easy. When he was younger, he once came through covered in dirt after playing with Powder and Ekko. He had a tear in his shirt and holes in his shoes. The Enforces had insisted his permit was a forgery and held him at the checkpoint for a few hours until they had contacted his brother to verify the permit's integrity and to come pick him up in person. Since then, his brother always insisted that Alek travel while looking his best.
Alek finished showering and drying himself off. He combed his hair as respectfully as he could. His brother bought him pomade once to keep it in place, but Alek hated the way it looked, and never used it. Instead, he usually went to get a haircut a day or two before his occasional trip.
Alek exited his bathroom and made his way to the closet, where he had set out his outfit from the day before. He slipped into a pair of snug black slacks with matching dress shoes, a plain white button down, and a crimson waistcoat. He grabbed a pair of cuff links, rings, and a watch to add to his outfit.
He looked at himself in the mirror. Although he couldn't deny he looked nice, he felt so awkward. Every time he dressed this way, it always took him a few hours to adjust. He get like a clown. He turned away to grab his pack, being sure to grab Powder's equations he had left on his desk before leaving.
He didn't wait to make it out of the building before lighting a cigarette. He knew he didn't have much opportunity to smoke until he returned late in the evening. His brother didn't know he had started smoking.
He left his building, being sure to keep his eyes down at his feet. This was the worst part of every trip. Walking around the Lanes while looking like an obvious topsider. He just kept one foot following the other, knowing his way to the Last Drop by heart. Before he knew it he was at the bar. He walked through a side entrance he knew Vander kept unlocked since he knew that the front wouldn't be open until the afternoon. He found Vander cleaning tables.
Vander: Morning kid, you sure look dapper. How come I've never seen you look like that after all these years?
Alek: I usually make it a point for people to not really see me when I'm dressed like this. Is Powder around?
Vander: Ha! Why? Is the gentleman trying to court the young lass?
Alek felt a blush creep onto his neck.
Alek: Very funny Vander. No, I just have something to give her.
Vander: My god, you are
Alek: Please stop!
Vander: Ha! Only joking. She already left actually. Went with the others down to the old arcade. You can leave it here, I'll be sure to get it to her.
Alek: Thank you, but the arcade isn't too far out the way. I'll stop by.
Vander: Oh, so it's an in person sort of gift, is it?
Alek: I'm not listening to you!
Alek left the bar at a brisk pace. Although the arcade was only a little out of the way, he still had wasted a lot of his time in the morning. He lit another cigarette while he thought. The group had never seen him dressed like this either. He thought showing himself off like this could be a good way to ease them into the truth. He could tell them all the details later.
The walk to the arcade passed a few blocks of abandoned stores and halfway homes. Enforcers never really came to this part of the Lanes because it was close to being abandoned. He found the arcade with relative ease. He walked in to see Vi racking up points on the Punch Out! game, Claggor relaxing against some furniture, while Mylo stood in front of a broken shooting gallery. They didn't seem to notice him at first when he walked in.
Mylo: Remind me why we bother with this dump?
Vi had finished her bout with the machine, grabbing the high score.
Vi: Vander said to lay low. Enforcers never come down here, so this place is as good as any.
Claggor: Whats the matter Mylo? You worried Powder's gonna beat you again?
Mylo: Hey! She didn't keep fixing these things, I wouldn't keep missing.
Powder stood from begind the counter of the shooting gallery, reconnecting the game's high voltage power, bringing the it back to life.
As Vi removed her boxing gloves, she took notice of Alek first. A look of surprise and slight disgust covering her face.
Vi: What are you wearing?
Alek felt stiff as board. He knew they were going to ask, but he couldn't really think of a good excuse that would stave off the conversation, at least until he got back in the evening. He turned his eyes to the ground as he tapped the tip of his left shoe on the floor.
Alek: just thought I'd try something new I guess...
Mylo: Oh yeah? How much did you have to steal for that? You look like a damn topsider.
Vi: My thoughts exactly.
Alek: Will you guys just shut it!
Mylo: You still haven't told us what the getup is for.
Alek: Yeah, I did
Mylo: And that's lie, so spill
Powder kept staring at Alek. He looked different, like he didn't belong, but it was a good different. The clothes fit him well. Like, really well.
Alek: Back off! I'm busy today and don't have time for this. I've just got something to give Powder, then I'm gone.
He moved his way to the shooting gallery, keeping his head down. He threw his bag on the counter next to Powder and rummaged through it, trying to find whatever it is he had for her. Powder didn't say a word, refusing to take her eyes off the boy, even after everyone else had lost interest. Even after he found and handed her some folded paper and she accepted it without much acknowledging.
Mylo: Geez Powder. You know, guys like it when you're a little less obvious.
Powder's face turned very red as she tore her eyes away, scowling at Mylo in clear embarrassment.
Powder: I wasn't-
Mylo: You we're gonna catch flies in your mouth if you kept looking.
Powder was speechless. Alek just wasn't dressed like usually. It just caught her off guard. She turned back to Alek and saw him leaning on the counter covering his mouth with a hand and red creeping up his neck, clearly embarrassed as well.
Powder gave a hmph before sulking over to a nearby arcade machine. She halfheartedly played while trying to gain her composure. Mylo was stupid. He didn't know anything.
Powder was taken out of her thought by an enforcer she saw through a crack in the window. Or should she say enforcers. There were a lot of them. At least six, one who was clearly dressed as an officer. Why were they down this way? No one every came here anymore and those that did were few and far between. The enforcers were interrogating a man and a woman.
Enforcer Officer: Tell me where I can find them!
Undercity Man: Topsider business ain't my concern!
Enforcer Officer: It's everyone of you trencher's concern now! Give me a name!
The man shrugged of an enforcers hand that was clamped around his shoulder. He took a few steps closer to the officers. His body language showed he might say something. Instead he spit on the officer's shoes. Powder took this moment to turn away from the altercation.
Powder: Hey guys, you should see-
The window shattered as the man outside was thrown through it. He flew through the air before landing hard on the wood floor, rolling a few feet before stopping. He was unconscious. The enforcers stared through the window, catching eyes with the kids inside the arcade. They were next.
Enforcer Officer: Search them.
Enforcers spilled in through the broken window as Powder moved back into the shooting gallery, next to Alek. Mylo raised his hands with an air of smugness.
Mylo: Go ahead idiots! We've got nothing.
Powder put a hand over her pouch before sending a pleading side glance to Alek, who knew she still had the contraband, hoping he remembered and would do something to help. Alek picked up on her signal, flicking his eyes over to his bag that still laid on top of the counter. Powder was confused at first, until he made a less subtle nod from her pouch to the bag. Her brows raised and she quickly and discreetly detached the pouch from her belt and slipped it into the bag. Alek turned and grabbed the bag, and made his way forward. Enforcers took notice and grabbed for their security batons. Alek stood his ground.
Alek: Apologies sir, but I'm in a bit of a hurry and must be making my way back to Piltover.
The Officer seemed unconvinced.
Enforcer Officer: Don't get cute with me kid. You may not look like the others, but you'll leave when I say you can. Until then, hand over the bag and back against the wall!
Alek: Actually, I think I'll be leaving now.
Alek reached into his bag. The enforcers were ready to pounce, not knowing what he was reaching for. Alek removed a folder which he handed to the officer. He took it after a moment and flipping through the contents. He scoffed.
Enforcer Officer: A traveler's permit and a letter of safe conduct? Where did you get these fakes kid?
The other enforcers appeared surprised, but that was nothing compared to the surprise of his friends. Powder looked at Alek like he was a different person. Was he a topsider this whole time? Why would he be down here?
Alek: They aren't fakes. They were given to me by my brother Viktor. He is the assistant to the Dean of the university. I'm running a little late at the moment and by keeping me here, you are inconveniencing my brother, and in turn, inconveniencing Councilor Heimerdinger.
The Officer froze up for a moment, weighing his options. His story seemed clear. Viktor was the assistant to the Dean, he didn't think anyone in the undercity was educated enough to even know that. He had a decision to make. Ignore the papers, knowing full well the consequences if the kid's story checked out and he ignored it on the slim chance that a child of 12 had info. Or, let him go. After a moment, he knew it only made sense to go with the latter. He handed him back the papers.
Enforcer Officer: Beat it kid.
Alek took back the papers with a slight nod.
Alek: Thank you sir, have a wonderful rest of your day.
Powder watched Alek remove himself from the arcade. She was shocked. Not only by the secrets he had revealed, but how he had acted. He talked like she had never heard before. He was so articulate and confident, every word that came from his mouth was picked with the utmost care. It was like he was a stranger, like everything she knew about him was a lie. And yet he had saved her. The gems were safely in his pack and even though the enforcers were still present, the danger had passed.
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Alek passed through the bridge checkpoint pretty quickly. Since it was only ever used by topsiders who occasionally ventured into the undercity, which usually never happened, it was typically abandoned save for a handful of enforcers. Today was another one of those days. Alek thought it was a little risky to take the gems through the checkpoint, but he figured that he could play it off as something Viktor asked him to get. The enforcers wouldn't really care. Alek was the only regular they ever got so they knew him by name, even tended to be pretty friendly.
The enforcers asked him the typical courtesies when he came through. How are you? Your friends okay? What's Viktor been up to? He responded with short one word answers. He didn't feel like talking today, his mind occupied by the confrontation at the arcade.
He worried what everyone was thinking. He really dropped a bomb on them, even if he had saved their asses. Well, at least Powder knew that, and possibly Vi since Powder most likely told her about the gems. But Mylo and Claggor had no idea. He didn't really care much about how Mylo felt, but knew that he would use this as an excuse to bully him. He felt bad about Claggor though. Although he was a man of few words, Claggor was a loyal friend. It probably came off as if he was ditching them to save his own skin while leaving them at the mercy of the enforcers. If Vi didn't know about the gems, he knew he was in for it when he got back. Powder may try to cover for him but she would still be really angry. And Vi can be very scary.
His main concern was with Powder. What did she think? He hadn't even looked her direction after talking to the enforcers, afraid of what he'd see. He just hoped she wouldn't look at him differently after this. He was still from the Lanes. Born and raised.
His feet carried him down street after street, eyes looking around the streets of Piltover. Despite being here many times, it was still mesmerizing to see how different is was from the Lanes. Everything was so clean. Everyone smiled, not once looking over their shoulders to check for any shady figures, or keeping their hands on their wallets in case it may suddenly go missing. It sometimes made him think about why he didn't move here permanently.
Alek had lived in Piltover before though. After Viktor had made something of himself in the city, he had Alek come live with him for a few months. Alek was 8 then and he hated every bit of it. The way he had to dress, the way people spoke, how they looked down on his home, or how two-faced everyone seemed to be. But most of all, he missed his friends. He had cried and cried to Viktor to let him go back to the Lanes, until he finally relented on a few conditions of course. Regular visits to Piltover. Education, which Viktor would take pre-recorded lectures and give them to Alek, along with textbooks and homework. A safe living space, which was as close to the Last Drop as possible. And lastly, a promise to stay out of anything illegal. For the most part, he did what he said to the letter.
Alek finally found his way to the university district, entering the residential building for university staff. He hopped on an elevator and made his way up to his brothers flat. He sniffed his clothes during the ride to make sure he didn't smell like cigarette smoke.
When Alek reached his brothers flat, he found no one there. Strange. Viktor doesn't work Saturdays. He usually spent the day relaxing before doing errands the following day. Alek shrugged, knowing Viktor couldn't have gone far. He put his bag down before collapsing on the couch and grabbing a nearby book on recent discoveries in organic chemistry. He stayed their engrossed in the work for over an hour before he heard the latch of the door.
In walked his brother. He had high cheekbones like himself as well as dark brown hair. He was lanky, but tall. He held a cane in one hand as he hobbled through the door. Viktor was a cripple. He had trouble moving and had brittle bones, but he never let that be an excuse for what he could and could not do. Alek had learned along time ago to never feel bad for Viktor. He didn't want anyones pity and didn't need it. Alek knew just how capable Viktor was.
Alek: and here I thought I was running late.
Viktor was caught by surprise before his face turned comfortable, with a slight smirk.
Viktor: I had forgotten you were coming today.
Viktor hung his coat while Alek rolled his eyes.
Alek: Wow, thanks for the comfort brother.
Viktor: I apologize. Today was... unexpected. Had to attend a trial this morning, before helping the professor confiscate some things.
Alek: Anything interesting?
Viktor: Yes actually. Many magical artifacts. They had become unstable after the defendant's home was broken into yesterday.
Alek's hands gripped the sides of the book. Of course it had to be about this. He needed to be on his guard. Viktor had been around the artifacts all day and would recognize the ones in his bag immediately. If he did see them, Viktor would know him and his friends had something to do with the crime. So, he played it cool and tried to change the subject.
Alek: That sounds exciting. So, I finished the worksheets you gave me last time. You want to go, over them.
Viktor: Another time perhaps. My mind is elsewhere. How about an early dinner? Hamilton's down the street should be open by now.
Alek: Isn't that place incredibly expensive?
Viktor: Yes, but why not? It's a special occasion when my favorite brother comes around.
Alek smiled. He placed his book on the table, and moved to the door, sticking next to his brother in case he needed help.
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Powder watched on as citizens of the Lanes bickered between themselves on what to do about the enforcers. Well, Vi Mylo and Claggor watched. It was their idea. She just wanted to sit and wallow. Alek's revelation had hit her hard. She didn't really know how to feel about it. How long had he been lying? He fit right in with everyone in the Lanes. No one would think he was a topsider the way he looked and talked. And yet he was.
The patrons of the bar began to filter out. A woman named Sevika had called Vander weak for not wanting to fight and it seemed a good many of them agreed with her.
Claggor: Why isn't he doing anything?
Powder: Those enforcers aren't as scary as they look. Alek stood up to them without blinking.
Mylo: Alek is a liar. You heard what he said. He probably has his own personal squad of enforcers. Rich bastard.
Vi: Alek saved our skin Mylo. He's got a lot of explaining to do, but you can be a little more grateful for that.
Mylo: Should I? If Powder hadn't kept back a little treasure for herself, we wouldn't have even been in that situation. Of course she found a way to jinx us again.
Claggor: Guys, calm down. This isn't helping.
Vi: Claggor's right. Drop it Mylo. We'll talk to Alek when he gets back.
They all made their way back to the basement. Vi stayed back to talk to Ekko. Powder descended the stairs and climbed into her bunk. She pulled the papers Alek had given her out of her pocket. They were the measurements for Whiskers he had promised her. All the numbers were in detail, showing exactly how Alek had come to the conclusion for each number. She smiled.
Alek was her best friend. Someone she could always be open and honest with. And yet, he hadn't been completely honest with her. He must of had a good reason, right?
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Viktor: I never get used to places like this.
Alek: You're telling me.
The two sat in a booth of a modestly busy restaurant. The lights were dimmed, expensive centerpieces we're set on each table, a woman played a soft piece on the piano in the corner, and expensive looking artwork covered the walls. At least Alek assumed they were expensive. They looked like a bunch of nonsense in his opinion.
They had already been served. Viktor ordered the lamb and a glass of Bordeaux, while Alek had ordered duck and just a glass of water. It tasted fine, but if he was honest, he would prefer Jericho's cooking.
Viktor: You seem distracted ever since you got here. Are you alright?
Alek: I'm fine, it's just... You know, I've never really told anyone about our... unique situtation.
Viktor: Oh? Not even Powder?
Alek frowned at that comment.
Alek: Strange you chose her specifically.
Viktor: Was it? You always speak of her with such fondness. More so than the others.
Alek gave a nod in acknowledgment as he began poking his duck with his fork.
Viktor: Are you thinking about telling them?
Alek: Actually, I kinda told them before I came this way.
Viktor: And by your attitude, I'm guessing it went less than spectacular.
Alek: Something like that.
Viktor wiped his mouth. He sat pondering for a moment as his younger brother sulked. He himself never had many friends as a child. It made it hard to relate to his brothers situation.
Viktor: You know, when I first came to this city, I always thought in the back of my mind that no matter what I did, no matter what discovery I made or algorithm I wrote, that I would never be acknowledged by my peers because they would never see me as one of their own.
Alek stopped playing with his food. He turned his head toward his brother.
Alek: And they did?
Viktor: They did. And they were strangers to me. If they could look past that, I'm sure your close friends will look beyond your situation.
Alek: Maybe. But it still feels horrible.
Viktor: You probably just need clarity of the situation. Talk to them and I'm sure you will be fine.
Alek smiled. Viktor of course was wise beyond his years.
Alek: Do you charge by the hour, doctor?
Viktor chuckled at his joke and shook his head.
Viktor: No, but I would like to ask you a question in return.
Alek: I thought you were the genius out of the two of us.
Viktor: Perhaps, but that gap is closer than you would like to admit. No, I would just like a third party's perspective is all.
Alek: Alright then.
Viktor: If you were me and had to choose between changing the world at the expense of your career, would you.
Alek: If you're trying to be subtle about the situation, you're not doing that great of a job. Is this why you've seemed a bit out of it this evening?
Viktor: Indeed. You don't need to know the details but... would you.
Alek sat in silence for a moment as he stared at his plate. What would he do? His brother made sure he was well educated, but he was never the self proclaimed scientist his brother had dubbed himself when he was his age.
Alek: If it was me, than no. I would be happy just living my simple day to day life. I don't have that thirst and drive for innovation that you do. But, if I was you? Then yes I absolutely would.
Viktor frowned. His answer was confusing.
Viktor: Why?
Alek: Because I know you. And I know you couldn't live with yourself if you let an opportunity like that pass you by.
Viktor: You do know what this means though, correct? If this doesn't work out, no more Piltover. I can't pay for a nice place in the Lanes. I probably won't be able to be hired in any field of science anywhere.
Alek: True, but you never set your value from money or status. If you want to be a scientist, you never needed anyones permission.
Viktor smiled.
Viktor: Thank you Alek.
Alek: Anytime brother.
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Time ticked by rather slowly. The enforcers had stopped by earlier and everyone was on edge. Powder had to hide in the rafters when they had searched the basement. She had almost fell right in front of them. Vi was extremely upset at Vander's inactions, and the two had gone somewhere to talk. Mylo and Claggor were busy gathering up things they could use as makeshift weapons, since the word around town was that the Lanes were gonna rebel.
Powder didn't want to be left out of the action, so she busied herself trying to make more smoke bombs and nail grenades. She thought about using the papers Alek had given her for help, but she was still upset with him and didn't need the reminder.
The design was crude, but efficient. The best she could really do with scrap metal and spare parts she found littering the streets. The firing mechanism was the hardest part to build. It took a deft hand to keep everything in place before fitting it into the outer casing, but it was easy from there on. Powder spent the next few hours making them. She fell into a rhythm as time flew by, and she moved on to decorating the outer casings. Her routine was disturbed as the door to the basement was opened.
It was Alek. He was out of his finely tailored clothes and was back into a pair of simple trousers and an old white long sleeve t shirt that had turned a sort of beige color after years of wear.
He walked slowly down the stairs, almost with a feel of dread. Powder looked down at her bombs, trying not to give him her attention. Even after he decided to sit next to her on her bunk.
Alek: Hey
Powder ignored him for a few moments.
Powder: Did you have fun?
Alek swallowed in nervousness.
Alek: Yeah. Yeah, it was nice.
Powder: Good.
She found her drawing harder and harder to do as she couldn't focus. She was trying to draw a puppy but she kept messing up.
Alek: ...I was gonna tell you, you know.
Powder: I'm sure you were.
Alek sighed, knowing he wouldn't get anywhere trying to make excuses. Powder wasn't having it.
Alek: I'm sorry, okay? I didn't intend for it to go on this long, but... I guess I just didn't know how to say it.
Powder: Why though? What was so hard about just telling me?
Alek: ...I guess I thought you'd see me differently... you know, as a topsider.
Powder: And are you?
Alek: No! No, Viktor does live there now, but we were both born and raised in the Lanes.
Powder let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. If he wasn't lying this time, it helped to know that he wasn't topsider.
Powder: So how did Viktor end up there?
Alek: ...After our mom died, Viktor had to support me on his own. He's crippled so he couldn't really find much work in the Lanes. He was always smart though. Much smarter than me, so he gambled on himself. Tried to see if he could force his way into the university despite being a trencher. After he found success, he wanted me to move to Piltover with him, but I just couldn't.
Powder: Why not? They've got plenty while we fight for scraps down here. You'd have been happier there.
Alek: I don't know about that. I'd have to leave you behind.
Powder stopped drawing. She raised her head to see his amber eyes staring at her. Just from looking at hem she knew that he meant every word.
Powder: Do you mean it?
Alek: of course I do. I promised I'd never leave, didn't I?
She smiled and looked down at her lap.
Powder: Yeah, you did. No more lying though. If I catch you again, I'm gonna use Mouser on you.
He chuckled.
Alek: Deal. And here, I believe these are yours.
He pulled out her pouch, still filled with the gemstones, and handed them to her.
Alek: Be careful though. Something tells me these are a lot more dangerous than they look.
Powder: when am I ever not careful?
Alek smirked.
Alek: You remember what happened when you first tried to build Mouser.
She remembered all too well. The first time she built her gadget, she had been a little careless and ended up with a good bit of nails sticking in her hand and forearm. Vi had to spend a few hours removing them while Powder cried.
Powder: That was one time! And the first time I might add! I'm much more responsible now!
Alek: Whatever you say Blue.
Alek instinctively put a hand over hers which sat on the bunk. He flinched after a moment and pulled away as he could feel red creeping up his neck.
Alek: uhh... sorry. That was a weird thing to do.
Powder had a slight flush on her face as well.
Powder: ...Yeah uhm... it's fine. No worries.
Alek: Right... well... I'm a little tired. Long day and all so... You wanna hang out tomorrow?
Powder: uhm... sure. Totally!
Alek: Great... well goodnight, see you tomorrow Powder.
Powder : Goodnight Alek
Alek left with a wave. As he closed the basement door behind him, he pulled out a cigarette. He hadn't had one since the morning and it helped calm his nerves after his talk with Powder. It went better than expected. Although, he knew that Powder didn't really have it in her to hold grudges.
However, he was dreading explaining himself to Vi, Mylo, and Claggor. He felt they wouldn't be as forgiving. That could wait until tomorrow though, since none of them seemed to be around. Alek walked slowly back to his apartment, feeling a migraine starting. He needed some sleep.