The Most Undoing Thing

by BlehBluhBlah

Several years after the Split, Piltover and Zaun's symbiotic societies are on the cusp of prospering. With a bright future on the way for many Pilties—and even some Zaunites—Jinx is left with nothing but wonder for what her future entails. But what's she to do when her path leads down to the pair of orphaned Zaunites: bombardier Zel and pickpocketer Evi? Simple: do better.

7. Chapter 7

A/N: I'd like to preface with once again that though I bring in characters from League lore or Runeterra lore, I'm not inclining you all SHOULD know them beforehand. If you know 'em, great! If you don't, well, don't worry about it! If they were as integral to the story as I wanted them to be, I'd fill you in more—TRUST ME.

That said, I hope your enjoyment of TMUT doesn't deteriorate the more I expand on the life of Zaun.

Also, I SWEAR I don't intend for these to always be as long as they are, but it kinda gets away from me.

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Chapter Summary: Jinx is forced to enlist her services for jobs in order to make money. Unfortunately, with Sevika's crew on the prowl, she's also left to make some declarations known... soon.

Word Count: 14,354

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—JINX—

She was bored.

Jinx knew when the Chem-Barons were gathering, but for some reason the snobs weren't on time. You'd think scum who ran the top of organized crime would be more punctual people. Yet, if that clock over the door was anything to go by, they were all three minutes late. It was strange to think: her—of all people—being upset with punctuality. But she figured it merely spoke volumes for how anxious she truly was.

This was a new foot forward. She was basically doing something she repeatedly swore not to do in the past. She ridiculed the Chem-Barons, they were nowhere near Silco's level, she found them weak. But what they lacked in a de facto leader, they made up for in a united front. The greedy bastards cared about each other to the extent that they were protecting their profits as a whole. The mutuality was as simple as them preserving Zaun's future first and foremost.

Jinx could rely on that kind of thinking. Zaun looked out for Zaun, at the end of the day. Pitted against Pilties or any outsiders, Zaun stood united in that the only ones who should be dealing blood would be Zaunites to themselves. No matter what she had done in the past, she saw reason in that they'd understand the benefits of her angle here. If they could recognize that? Well… then maybe she did have some room to stand on.

THEY CAN'T BE TRUSTED!

there has to… be better ways…

Jinx ignored the voices. They just wanted her to leave. But she couldn't. This was an important thing to do. It wasn't unfounded reasoning. But she was out of options and that called for drastic measures. More murmuring occurred but she drowned it out, focusing on the sole reason she was here in the first place…

Evi and Zel.

"You're not always right," she muttered aloud, effectively silencing the room. She smirked to herself proudly, kicking her feet up on the table. "That's what I thought!" she giggled to herself.

In the many years spent alone with them, Jinx understood what they said wasn't always advice.

It wasn't always helpful.

It wasn't always logical.

It was just to mess with her.

She clenched her fist and tapped her knuckles against the seat of the chair. It was hard to orient herself most days to ignore them—sometimes she ended up listening to them like she would with Fishbones. But Fishbones was different… she spoke to him as someone to bounce ideas off of. The voices? They were meant to drag her down. Sometimes she just needed a voice to tell her: "Your idea is a good one."

She scoffed as she brought her arm up and rested her elbow on Pow-Pow, slumping her chin into her palm. "Not like I got any other options," she muttered.

And it was true.

After last week's expenses, Jinx had dipped into some financially dicey areas. She still had plenty of rainy day coins left, but spending money was all but gone. She tried her best to haggle with Amy for the parts she scavenged for her, but evidently it was no good. Like Amy had told her, finding parts like those completely undamaged and still whole was rare. And the fact that the stove and fridge worked was a testament to that! So the expenses were worth it. But the cooking?

Though she had collected a good amount of recipes and practiced, it was very clear to Jinx the brats weren't enjoying her food as much as Jericho's. She reminded herself not to take it to heart, knowing the old fisherman was hard to beat anyways, but it seemed like they were merely eating her food to be filled but not to be enjoyed. And she understood that though. Heck, she grew up on Jericho's her whole life! Her cooking? Paled in comparison in every way.

Which essentially meant that though she spent deep pockets for essential kitchen appliances, she still splurged on his food. And even worse for wear, she had to stock up on market ingredients for her to cook with! Who knew shopping for frozens, veggies, and fruits was expensive! Needless to say, Jinx was in need of some solid coin fast. She had complained about her strife to Amy during a resupply, and the woman offered her a couple of jobs.

Funsmith Amy was a supplier of many things, and odd jobs were high on her market as well. Running deliveries, errands, hits on random Zaunites; just random jobs that needed the doer getting dirty. Jinx happily took her up on it! But it let to an unfortunate fixation where she nearly ran the woman out of jobs within two days because of how quick she was to earn money. With that, Amy said she had no more jobs left for Jinx.

So that's what led Jinx to here, the Chem-Baron Council Chambers.

She sat at the head of the table, her feet still kicked up on it, as she whistled to herself. They were her only options and yet these bastards didn't even have the decency to be on time! Amateur hour much. But, as if to quell her thoughts, the sounds of approaching footsteps occurred. Jinx grew a sly grin as she dug her hand into her satchel, producing a small detonation button. She spun the object between her fingers like she would a pen, and smiled as the doors opened.

"—musing that we were all late!" a woman spoke, "Let's hurry and get this meeting—Jinx?" she exclaimed.

The rest of the Chem-Barons trailing in behind her stopped and gasped.

She smirked and waved, "How ya doin' Renni?" Well, at least that's what Jinx thought her name was. She couldn't remember.

"W-What are you doing here?" a man asked, rolling in on a wheelchair with a tophat on his wrinkled face.

Jinx frowned as she took a scan of the members before her. She… didn't know their names. The Chem-Barons had changed plenty of times over the years since… well, since. A few looked recognizable, but only because Jinx had had her fair share of dealing with these pompous class of trash many times throughout her years. She squinted as she tried to recall the names to their faces, failing at every face that hesitantly entered the room. That was until… a certain woman donning a white pantsuit strolled past the other five Chem-Barons with the confidence of Death itself.

Jinx released a content sigh as she leaned back in her seat. Now this one she knew…

"How ya doin' Glassky?"

The tanned woman merely raised a brow in response, highlighting her chemmed up eyes. She released a small breath into her breather mask, then chuckled. "Jinx," she spoke eerily, "to what do we owe the… pleasure?"

"Glad ya asked!" Jinx cheered. She stopped playing with the detonator in her fingers and gripped into it tight. Flicking the cover off and exposing the red blinking button. She pointed her finger upward, smirking all the while.

The Chem-Barons all spared a moment to follow her finger's direction, looking toward their ceiling. Sure enough, they noticed the massive ring of chem bombs set up in the rafters, all lit up and blinking like the detonator in her hand. Murmurs broke out along with gasps of shock, but Renata remained composed, narrowing her eyes.

"Entertaining as you are, Jinx, you're wasting both your time and your talent," Renata amusedly stated, waving her fingers about, revealing her augmented left arm—of which was infused with Shimmer.

Jinx grinned. "I know! You're really keen on remindin' me that. But, this is just an insurance. So you all sit and listen to what I have to say." She chuckled, looking down at her seat. "Well, aside from you," she giggled, "because this is your seat."

Renata rolled her eyes, before gesturing for the rest of the Chem-Barons to sit. Hesitantly, they all trickled in and fell into their seats—the exception of Renata of course. Jinx had to give it to the Chem-Baroness, she didn't scare easy. Credit to her name: she was the only one keeping her head high (though it's because she didn't have a seat, but still).

Renata Glasc, the head of Glasc Industries. Known for producing weaponry, prosthetics, and perfumes from a unique blend of… chemicals. She was one of the wealthiest Zaunites in the entire Undercity—richer than even some Pilties! She even managed to sell legally in Piltover. Suffice it to say, Glasc set the standard for how all deep pockets were of the Barons. But Jinx wasn't here to challenge her or any of them. If she wanted to do this right, she needed to be captivating.

"Don't worry 'bout them," Jinx spoke, dropping her legs from the table as she gestured toward the bombs above them, "Like I said—I just want to make sure I have your attention!"

The silence hung for a moment.

Whelp, that was as good a cue as any…

"So!" Jinx chirped, rising from her seat and into her feet. "I've recently been thinkin' 'bout businesses and money, and all that," she drawled as she paced back and forth, her hand swaying aimlessly. "And well, I've decided—you guys are kinda onto somethin'!"

At that, she heard one of the Chem-Barons—no idea who—ask, "D-Does that mean you wish to take a seat as well?"

Jinx stopped and turned, staring at all their faces. She burst into a fit of giggles, shaking her head. "Hell no!" she laughed. "But ol' Glassky had some points 'bout my talents! But buuut," she smirked, raising a finger, "I'm not some chump either."

Renata sighed, placing her hands on the table as she leaned forward, her patience obviously worn thin. "Are you saying you wish to be employed, Jinx?"

She gagged at that, scrunching her face in disgust. "Eww, no. I want to make an offer." She proceeded to hop onto the table, spinning herself around and tucking her legs into a cross legged position. Once comfortable, she turned back and smiled at the Chem-Barons. "My services, for your coins."

The room fell into silence. Jinx's instincts were on high alert because of it. Why were they so silent now? She just put an offer on the table! Literally!

THEY'LL JUMP YOU!

RUN!

BLOW 'EM UP!

No. They were smart. They were just probably gobsmacked by her brilliance!

Jinx took a small, quick breath and tapped her finger against the detonator, expressing her impatience. "Well?" she shrugged, darting her eyes between them all.

Renni(?) was the first to speak, "You're threatening us… to give you a job?"

"Instead of just taking our money?" the wheelchair guy chimed in.

Jinx groaned. "Yes! What's so hard to understand 'bout that?" she shouted.

"Since when did you care for money anyways?" Renata spoke, drawing all eyes toward her. "You've always told us you've been fairly well off yourself."

"Let's just say I realized having consistent income can be really good for my pretty little babies," she replied with an impish grin. "So Imma need some coin."

"So it is true." Renata chuckled amusedly. "The Loose Cannon has been going around doing odd jobs."

Of course the Chem-Baroness would manage to get a hold of rumours like that. Jinx narrowed her eyes. "Yeah, so?"

She shrugged. "Nothing. I'm merely surprised you've finally developed a sense of business," she stated with a proud tone. Jinx internally gagged at the woman's excitement. "So, what exactly are you in the market for, Jinx?"

A gasp came from the Baroness sat to Jinx's left. She was a woman with kinda pretty curly brown hair, wearing a flowery dress (literally—material looked like it was made from petals), but a face full of repulsion and shock. "Glasc, you're letting her get away with this?" She turned to the woman at the other end of the table while gesturing toward Jinx. "She can't just threaten us like this!"

Renata chuckled mirthfully. "I believe she just did."

Jinx smiled at that. "Thank you for seeing it as it is!" She leaned back on her hands—careful not to push the button on the detonator of course—and shrugged. "So whattya got for me?"

Another silence stirred, and though her impatience was brewing Jinx sensed this time it was out of curiosity of the others. The Chem-Barons exchanged looks at one another, waiting for someone to speak up. An old Yordle raised his hand, hacking up a cough.

"Perhaps now would be a good time to send someone to deal with the riff raff near the docks?" he said in a gravelly voice.

Renni (seriously, she had no idea if that was her name) nodded. "They have been interrupting a good deal of trade from Bilgewater."

Jinx raised a brow. "Someone needs 'splodin'?" she excitedly asked, bringing her hands together.

"Some wannabe gang," the brunette chimed in.

"They've been frequenting the docks," Renata said, "trying to make off with the traded goods. The next shipment was due for tonight, and we were actually about to assemble a response to the situation today. But if you would be so inclined…"

The Loose Cannon rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Who were you going to hire?"

Renata sighed. "Sevika's crew."

Jinx scoffed. "Give me two-thirds of whatever ya were going to pay that ogre and I'll handle it tonight."

The older woman's eyes widened at that. "That's… fairly reasonable." She exchanged glances at the rest of her peers, all of which seemed on board or at least indifferent. She nodded at Jinx. "The deal is accepted."

Jinx beamed. "Great!" With that, she stood up from her spot and sauntered down the table, stepping past Glasc with a wink. "Pleasure doin' business with ya! I'll be back tomorrow to collect," she said as she walked toward the door, waving over her shoulder.

"Uh, w-what about the bombs?" she heard someone ask.

She merely shrugged. "Leave 'em!" she said before sparing a look back, mustering a wide smirk as she shook the detonator in her hand. "It has a real… explosive aesthetic!" She giggled to herself as she swung the doors open, walking out the room and into the halls.

The murmurs and exclamations of the Barons faded as she skipped her way out.

Despite it all, Jinx was excited.

It was time to put in work.

—ZEL—

A sharp buzz startled Zel, causing him to flinch back. He put down the desoldering pump and cringed, not liking the sight of the wiring of his undermine. It seemed making tweaks wasn't as simply as he thought it'd be. He'd been inspired, as of late, to work on his own gadgets. With Jinx constantly working and seeing her amazing craft up close, Zel felt compelled to do better than what he had. But in all honesty, he had no idea where to work from. Jinx's setup was entirely different from his, so he couldn't just apply it so simply.

But he also couldn't just ask her for help.

She had been more lenient of late, regarding their restrictions and whatnot—heck, they were currently blasting her song again! But one of the main reasons Jinx took them in was the promise that he wouldn't go making more bombs. And if she was open to helping, Zel didn't want to bother her either. As of late, he had been noticing Jinx had been leaving in the morning and returning in the late afternoon, tired. But also wasn't sure if he could ask about that either.

He sighed, picking up the desoldering pump once again. But the second he made contact with his wires another spark emitted, startling him once again.

"Should I be worried about you blowing us up and sending this fan blade to the mines?" Evi quipped over near the living area table, where she stood with the dummy. After ceasing her barrage of punches, she stopped and looked over her shoulder, wiping her brow of sweat before raising it at him.

He sheepishly smiled. "Don't mind me… heh…"

"You're playing with a bomb—how can I not mind you?" she deadpanned.

"It's not 'playing'," he grumbled defensively, picking up his opened undermine. "I'm… tinkering."

She snorted, turning herself around to face him fully, she rested her arm on the dummy's shoulder. "Oh because that sounds so much better." She pushed off the dummy and walked over to the couch, letting out an exhausted breath as she sat down. "Why're you even messing 'round with that anyways?" she asked, picking up her stuffed toy. She proceeded to massage its head as she followed up with, "Wouldn't it be smarter to wait for Jinx and ask for her help?"

He blinked at the sight for a bit. He didn't exactly understand why Evi wanted or kept that weird toy, but each night they slept since, she held onto it with a vice grip. And Zel also didn't have the balls to ask about it, considering how protective she was about it. It was these kinds of things that made him wonder… what exactly were they getting themselves into with Jinx?

"Zel?"

He shook himself out of his thoughts. "What?"

"I said why don't ya just wait for Jinx?"

He sighed. "Because I'm already not supposed to be doing this!"

She furrowed a brow. "So why are ya doing it?"

"I… I—you…," he stammered, before dropping both his bomb and the tool on the floor. "I don't know," he mumbled.

"What?" she shouted, "The gramophone is still on—speak up!"

"I don't know!" he shouted back.

Evi frowned at his response.

"I just… I wanna distract myself." He shrugged. "And it's hard not to think about this when all I've seen her do is tinker." He spared a glance back at his partner, noticing her visible loss for words. There was something on his mind, about Jinx, that he just felt weird about. But he also didn't know if it was worth bringing up to Evi. Despite all their talks they had beforehand, each passing day it seemed like their hostess changed their worldview.

And because of that… he didn't know what Evi's opinion of her was like anymore.

"Zel," she spoke up, narrowing her brows at him. "Talk to me."

He took a breath. "Do you think… something's up with Jinx?"

She blinked in confusion. "Whattya mean?"

"I…" he paused, thinking over his words. "She's been coming back late, often. And she's always so… tired."

Evi chuckled. "Must explain why her stews are still shite."

Zel stared at her blankly.

"Oookay, serious talks," she remarked, placing her toy on the couch as she stood up. Making her way back to the dummy, she said, "I don't know 'bout tired. But I do notice she seems… chattier."

He furrowed his brow. "Okay, what do you mean?"

She threw a jab toward the dummy's rib. "Late at night. Or when she's at her desk workin', I hear her talk… to herself." She performed a series of punches against the dummy's head and chest. "I mean… even with us. She's been more… lively."

Zel looked down at his undermine in thought. Had she? He hadn't noticed anything like that. "Lively" was a completely different perception from his eyes. Maybe what he and Evi saw of Jinx was different? "I dunno," he shrugged, "I'm just worried is all."

Evi's punches stopped. "What? Why—"

The sound of the door slamming echoed throughout the cavern, startling the two. Zel looked at the gramophone. Was the music that loud they couldn't hear it open?

"Brats, I got Jericho's!" they heard Jinx shout.

Evi turned away from the dummy, smiling at the central turbine hub. "Finally! Some real flavour!"

Jinx's giggles were nearly muffled out by her song. As the woman rounded the turbine, swaying the plastic bag in her hand, she stopped and lowered the volume, smiling at Evi. "Top tier, comedy, little Urchin!" she replied, winking. She proceeded to shrug off Pow-Pow and Fishbones, resting them on the empty space next to her workshop desk. With a loud yawn, she threw her bag of Chompers next to her guns, covering her mouth all the while. As she made her way down the wing, a frightening realization hit Zel.

He wasn't supposed to be working on his undermines.

He gulped as he tried to frantically scoop up everything and tuck it back into his bag, care all but forgotten. But then the footsteps approached him from behind. "What's that?"

"Oh," Zel stiffened for a second before awkwardly placing his hands over his bomb. "I-It—"

"That your undermine?" she asked. At his nod, she continued, "You tweaking it or making a new one?"

"T-Tweaking," he muttered. "After I saw your Chompers—n-not that I'm copying you, or anything—I just… I wanted to see if I could work on mine more," he admitted with a shameful tone.

She glanced down at where he was sitting then back at her workshop. "Why not work on it there?" she asked, jerking her thumb at her desk.

He blinked. "I… I can?"

She shrugged, swaying the plastic bag in her hand as she walked the rest of the way down the fan blade. "Makes no sense to tinker on the floor. Go ahead! Just clean up after yourself." She looked over her shoulder and shot a stern look. "I may look like a slob but I do clean up my workspace!" A faint muttering of, "From time to time," graced his ears but Zel made no comment. He instead raced at the opportunity and placed all his parts and gear onto the table.

"Anyways," Jinx chirped. "Dinner's here on the table, feel free to eat ahead and without me."

He spun around in his chair and stared at her in confusion as Evi steadied the dummy she was punching. "You're not joining us?" he asked.

She let out a yawn as she shook her head, making her way back to him. "Nope! Too pooped, Rookie. Plus, I need to head out early in the mornin' anyways." She shrugged with a small smile. She stared at him, as if observing his face, which made him wonder if he was selling some sort of disappointment on it. "You don't need this ol' lunatic for you two to have a good meal anyways," she said as she pulled out her mattress from its tucked in slot, "I'll be on this side sleeping, but don't worry 'bout noise—I'll be fine!" She took the mattress and brought it to the other side of the turbine, toward the wing leading to the door.

He and Evi exchanged a worried look, as they heard Jinx settle onto her "bed." Sharing a nod, Zel made his way over to the living area, where Evi had already pulled out their meals from the bag. They both sat down on the couch, eating in silence for a minute or so. Zel couldn't help but spare a glance toward Jinx's direction. Right now, she was going to sleep. And they were eating food she bought for them.

"Alright," Evi spoke up through her mouthful. She wiped her cheek of sauce with a napkin before turning to him. "What's on your mind?

He glanced back at the central hub then to her. The gramophone was still playing and near her proximity, so it wasn't like she could hear them, but Zel still felt like whispering. "I don't know," he quietly answered. "That was weird right?"

She furrowed a brow. "Her letting you use her desk?" she asked, matching his pitch, "I mean… kinda?" She shrugged.

Zel sighed. "Not tha—okay, that a bit," he conceded. He shook his head. "I mean, Jinx seemed really tired. Heck, she would've normally hit you with a comeback but instead she just rolled with it!"

Evi smirked. "Maybe she just accepted it was a good diss," she smugly replied.

Zel simply stared at her.

She scoffed. "Fuck off, I'm funny," she muttered before diving back into her food.

He sighed once more as he too returned to his meal, still looking over at Jinx's direction as he chewed. Maybe he was going off the basis of nothing. It probably was just him overthinking, like he always did. But it was hard not to think about… the fact that there was a sudden change in the atmosphere. Not just from whatever he thought was wrong with Jinx, but just in general. His eyes fell on the desk, where his gear laid. She practically gave him permission to work!

If that wasn't a contradiction in their arrangement, he wasn't sure what was!

"Phel," he heard Evi speak threw her chewing, "don't phorry 'bout it."

He slowly chewed on his tentacle, locking a blank stare at her.

She frowned, taking a big gulp, letting a stream of sauce drip down her chin. "She's Jinx. I'm pretty sure she's got herself handled—she said herself! She doesn't need anythin' from us."

"I said it's necessary!"

The two jumped, shocked by Jinx's sudden shout. Their eyes flew toward the turbine, scared of what was to come round the corner. Instead of the menacing woman they expected, Jinx popped her head sheepishly around the corner, smiling at them with a wide grin. "Sorry 'bout that!" she shouted. "Not talking to you!" she hurriedly added before disappearing around the corner.

The two shared an apprehensive look, but Zel was the one to widen his eyes and gesture toward Jinx aggressively. As if to silently say, See?

Evi looked down at her empty meal (oh Janna, she finished that fast?). "She does that often," she said softly, picking up a napkin. After wiping her hands, she tossed the napkin in the box and picked up her stuffed toy, thumbing over its snout once again. "I don't know if ya noticed, or if you've just been too busy falling for her gadgets… but she talks like-like, someone's there. But there's nothin' there."

He bit his lip, looking at her. Her gentle tone surprised Zel, he hadn't expected her to handle this so anxiously or even cautiously. He thought back on those moments she was referring to and shrugged. "I mean, I guess?" He just found those outbursts to be… Jinx-like. He never contextualized it to being her… talking to no one…

"I dunno 'bout this 'tired' thing you're on 'bout," she said with finger quotes. "But, whatever it is seems to be making her more… chatty if ya catch what I'm saying."

His eyes slightly widened a bit at that. Whatever Evi was seeing, she seemed to at least agree that what he was seeing was somewhat related. And that whatever Jinx was doing was making something worse for her. But Jinx seemed adamant on avoiding it or confronting it in front of them.

"Whatever it is, she's not gonna be tellin' us anythin' about it," Evi muttered, voicing his thoughts. She sighed, now caressing the toy's head. "What can we do? What if whatever's happening makes her kick us out?"

Zel felt his heart still at that. He hadn't felt this safe in… in a long while. Or at least, chill. They had a bed to wake up in, things to do, and food to eat daily. He looked at his nearly finished food, then to the stove. "Well, how about we try our hand at helping around?"

Evi looked at him with a raised brow. "Huh?"

—JINX—

Last night's job was child's play. No more than a dozen guys, and basically three seconds of spinning up Pow-Pow had them all end up in the harbour like fish. Dead fish, actually. A couple Chompers here and there were used to rile them up and get the message across. Sure, word would probably get out that Jinx protected a shipment meant for the Chem-Barons' organization, but the message needed to get out there so no one would try robbing their shit again.

The Chem-Barons certainly loved her work, as the bounty she was promised was well stocked with golden hexes. Though much to their collective disappointment, the extra tips they sweetened the payment with were not enough to sway her to remove the bombs in their rafters. It seemed they immediately learned that the bombs had insurance function, that prompted detonation if ever removed. She told them only she had the skills the remove them safely. She laughed her way out, enjoying their sighs and annoyance. They could pay her all the money in the world but she wouldn't remove them. It was too good!

Now, she had half a mind to head home and just conk out with the kids… but she had more business to attend to. The kind that cost her a good sum of the money she just earned. Because she maybe got a bit carried away with taking out all the thugs. So now, she had to head to Funsmith Amy for another resupply.

you need to… be smarter…

SURE, WASTE ALL YOUR SUPPLIES LIKE AN IDIOT!

Jinx shuddered after landing in the alley, her skin prickly with all the sudden attention. The voices were becoming more proactive as of late, especially when she wasn't near the kids. But that's all she needed to sway them away—thinking about them shut them up. After this quick errand, she'd be back home with them laughing and tossing their ball around.

Seeing them sleeping this morning, as she got her things and brewed them some morning coffee, it was all the reminder she needed. This was necessary, what she was doing was necessary. Even if she was tired as Hell, the fact that they could sleep in and eat every day was the best reminder ever.

With a newfound smile, Jinx grabbed the door handle and swung it open. She typically went for something more boisterous, but she was too drained to try anything too exciting and settled for just walking in. But doing it so casually still set off a crawling sensation down her spine. As she neared the counter, she was greeted but the supplier of the hour, who was leaning over reading a Piltie newspaper. She brightened up at Jinx's presence.

"Heya Jinx! Causing quite a stir from what I hear on the streets! Or docks I should say!" Amy laughed. "Sorry to say I don't got any more offers at the moment—but my informants have said they're pleased with your work!" she gestured at her with an appreciative smile.

"Hmm, that's nice to hear," Jinx nonchalantly replied as she walked over to the black haired woman. "But nah, Ames, not here for a job actually." She slapped the table. "I need another resupply."

Her eyes widened. "Really? Damn, what have you been doing?"

Jinx's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. "C'mon. It's me. Don't think ya can fish out details so easily…"

Amy sighed, shrugging half-heartedly. "Hey, I'm a supplier of all things—information included," she tacked on, waggling her brows. "Can't blame a woman a for tryin'." She leaned over on the table and smirked. "But I did hear through the grapevine your recent work wasn't just for shits and giggles, but a job. And it certainly wasn't for any run-of-the-mill Trencher…" her voice dipped lower as she said, "It was for the Chem-Barons."

Jinx uninterestedly blinked at her. "Resupply. Please?" she monotonously pleaded.

The woman held up her hands in defeat, nodding. "Fair enough!" she said before disappearing into the back.

Jinx scoffed. She knew Amy already knew it was true, she just wanted to put her in a box to confirm it as fact. Any answer she would've given would've been an answer regardless. Another day Jinx would've not minded the hounding, but she wanted to just grab her stuff and go. Besides, Amy was harmless with her intel—she wouldn't dare cross Jinx.

"So standard vials of Shimmer and rounds?" she heard her shout from the back.

Jinx grunted her affirmation, rapping her fingers on the table impatiently.

"I will say, regardless of the Chem-Baron thing being true—"

She totally knew it was.

"—I'm still amazed at how tirelessly you've been working on all these jobs," Amy shouted, as the ruffling of boxes echoed. "I said my informants were pleased with your efficiency, but collectively they lost their minds when they found out you did all their jobs simultaneously within the span of a couple days! They're definitely eager to hire you again if needed!"

Jinx shrugged. "Good to know I'm a hot commodity," she joked.

Amy returned with a box of Jinx's supplies, setting it down on the table. Just as she reached for it, the woman's hand came down on the box, tugging it back. Jinx blinked up at her, confused, most especially when she was met with a hard stare.

"What?" she asked her.

Amy narrowed her eyes. "I know you're trying to earn back the money you spent on the stuff you built, but I also know something else is going on."

Jinx's eyes narrowed back. Her hand slipped down to her sidearm. "And?"

Amy scoffed, shaking her head. "Not prying there, Jinx, don't got a death wish." She held her other hand up. "But I also know you're not the type to do these kinds of things sporadically and so hastily."

She laughed, removing her hand from her gun as she rubbed the back of her head with it. "Pfft, whattya mean? I'm Jinx. Sporadicness and haste is my motto!" She giggled.

Amy rolled her eyes. "Sure, I guess," she shrugged. She pushed the box forward. "It's the usual."

Jinx nodded then grabbed her bag of recent payment, and fished around for Amy's total. As she did, she felt the woman staring at her. "Gimme a sec," she muttered.

"My mom was a real hard worker," she randomly brought up, talking toward the table, "I tried to mimic her work ethic. After our dad died in an alleyway brawl, she really doubled her efforts to make sure I had food, shelter, and all that shit."

"I don't have any more deaths on my list," Jinx shot back. "Well," she amended, "not ones that I care 'bout anyways."

"Not saying you do," Amy replied. "I just remember how stressed it made my mom. Don't think I ever told you, but she's one of the few Zaunites who just died to normal conditions—heart failure and all that. But I remember hearing she would've lived longer if she hadn't worked herself to the bone so much, especially after I got older and was helping provide." She looked up from the table, smiling at Jinx. "You're my best customer, so I hope as your supplier, you at least consider my warning: try to slow down? I dunno what's got you all in a hurry, but you're fine as is."

Jinx stared at her.

YOU HAVE TO HURRY!

they won't stay… forever…

Jinx's hand froze above the table, with the coins clenched within her palms. She felt a quake tremor throughout her entire body for a split second. Amy's words shouldn't have mattered. It was just advice. Her words shouldn't have mattered, but hearing the word "mom" struck a strange cord with her. With a sigh, she dropped the coins onto the table and yanked the box off, turning away.

"Noted," she said with a shrug.

She heard Amy sigh to herself as she began picking the coins up off the counter. "Whelp, in any case, stay safe out there! Not that you can't handle yourself, but I hear Sevika's crew has been tearing up turfs!" Jinx stopped at that. "Might wanna stay out of her crosshairs if she's on a warpath."

She turned around and launched at the table, slamming her hand on it with five golden hexes.

Amy looked up at her, shocked. "Uhhh… you already pai—"

She slid the coins over to Amy, eyes still locked onto her. "What's she looking for?" she seriously asked.

Amy blinked. "What? How do you know she's—"

"Ames, don't fuck with me, what is she looking for?" she asked with a stern tone.

"I-I don't know!" she backed up. "Honestly! I just heard about it! I don't even know if she's actually looking for something!"

Jinx sighed, pulling away. "Oh," she quietly muttered. She shook her head, chuckling to herself. It had to happen eventually. "Well, thanks for the tip," she said with a smile. Parting with a wave, Jinx left Funsmith Amy's and stepped into the alley, breathing out another sigh.

Jinx had good instincts.

Not about everything, but about caution and danger.

Or at the very least… chances.

There was no chance about it: Sevika was looking for Zel and Evi.

She had figured this would happen. Heck, it was the reason she took them in in the first place! But if she truly was on a "warpath" like Amy said, then that meant discretion was out the window. Jinx needed intel, and she needed to know for certain. As she ran across the rooftops, she spared a quick glance at the marketplace before shaking her head. She could ask Jericho, but it would be too obvious for a tip. She didn't want to waste anymore money and going to him for intel without buying food would look more suspicious.

She couldn't risk prying eyes.

But there was still one person she could rely on with the know on all things. And going to her, would be entirely suspicious because it's what almost everyone did.

And that was how Jinx found herself marching through the brothel once more.

The patrons and workers all skirted past her, clearly shocked at her angry face. Jinx didn't bother for prudency now or at a place like this, mainly because everyone would expect she's here for intel. And aside from that, Jinx was in a hurry and this was less suspicious than just straight up asking Jericho in a populated market area. She parted the curtain and stuck her head in, eyes pleading with Babette.

The female yordle blinked, setting down the bills she was filling and gesturing in front of her. "Jinx, to what do I owe the pleasure?" she said with a velvety tone. "Are you in need of another recipe?"

Jinx stepped in, closing the curtains and walking straight up to the desk. The speed and aggression of it all clearly startled Babette, but Jinx didn't care for that now. "Sevika," she stated.

Babette blinked, furrowing her brows.

"Babs, c'mon, ya know what I'm talking about here," she stressed, emotion leaking into her voice.

The female Yordle's eyes widened, shocked by Jinx's display. "You mean the word on the street?" Jinx just stared at her. She sighed back. "Jinx, what do you want me to say? Or rather, what do you expect me to know?"

Jinx sighed, pulling back from the desk. She slumped in the chair in front of it and face palmed. Shaking her head, she pulled her hand away and tiredly stared at Babette. "I know she still frequents this place, Babs."

"She's never let shop talk get in the way of her time here," Babette amusedly pointed out. At Jinx's narrowed eyes, she sighed once again. "She didn't mention it here, but I did hear from the streets that her crew has been on the prowl. Word is a manhunt has blown out in full force, but who they're looking for hasn't gotten out yet. Or at least, not to me." She picked up her cigar holder and waved it around aimlessly. "It was discrete at first, like a week ago, but now it seems like she's lost patience and wants it done now."

"And? How are they taking 'em in?"

"Dead or alive," Babette solemnly answered, wincing. "But you and I both know the way it's turning out, the former is more likely."

Jinx stared down at the floor. Sevika was nothing, her crew most especially. Hell, she had to enlist the help of kids to get a job done. She wasn't scared of her. But if she wasn't going to stop, Jinx had to do something to scare her off.

BUT IF YOU DON'T!

THEN THE KIDS WILL NEVER LEAVE!

THEY'LL HAVE TO STAY FOREVER!

Jinx's eyes widened at that, her head snapping up in realization. That… that was true. She could just… not do anything. Only Babette knew about her and the kids. And she wouldn't squeal. They would be forced to stay with her… and wouldn't ever be able to leave!

you know… that's wrong…

"Jinx?"

She shook her head, closing her eyes. She remembered Evi and Zel, lying in bed this morning. She remembered them dancing and singing along to her song. She remembered their laughter. She could ignore the voices best when she was with them… but if she listened to them now, it would be like taking directions from someone who stabbed you in the back. Jinx gritted her teeth. Who cared if they had a point? It was paradoxical—they were the problem, and the kids helped remove that problem. Listening to them? Made no sense.

"Jinx."

She opened her eyes, meeting Babette's concerned stare. "Huh?" she lamely asked.

"Is… is Sevika looking for—"

"What do you think, Babs," Jinx interjected, levelling her with a serious stare.

A shuddered breath escaped the female Yordle before she blew out a quick smoke.

She wasn't sure why, but knowing someone else was worried about them too? It made Jinx feel better. Justified? Who knew.

She stood up from her seat and smiled at Babette. "Don't worry. Nothin' is gonna happen to them. Because whoever comes knocking oughta go through me first," Jinx proudly stated, jerking her thumb to her chest. She turned away, hastily tossing five golden hexes onto Babette's desk before walking. "Thanks for the help, Babs. See ya when I see ya!"

—EVI—

"Fuck!" Evi cursed, tossing the contents of the frying pan off the fan and into the abyss. She stomped her foot and marched back to the stove, dropping it on top.

"I guess cooking fish is harder than Jinx made it look?" Zel sheepishly commented, looking up from the notepad of recipes he'd found. He stood just near the fridge, no doubt fearful of Evi's outbursts.

Evi merely grunted again as she stomped her foot. "I'm gonna punch my dummy," she shouted, wanting to express her rage. She walked away from the kitchen wing and over to the third wing.

"What did I say though!" Zel shouted. "What we always say: don't do anything stupid—"

"And don't do anythin' slow!" Evi finished sprinting toward her dummy and sending a punch to its faceless head. It bounced around a bit before steadying once again. She prepared another barrage of punches, jabbing at its ribs and chest, then face. "But I didn't do anythin' stupid," she shouted.

"I told you we could've finished reading the recipe beforehand!" Zel shouted back.

Evi released a growl before spinning and kicking the dummy with her prosthetic leg, sending it off its stand and onto the ground. She whipped her head at Zel, causing him to flinch. Her fists were clenched, her breathing was growing more unsteady and her eyes… were brimming with tears? She gasped, surprised by the wail in her throat as she spun and kicked the dummy on the floor.

"E?" she heard Zel race around and make his way toward her.

But she just jumped onto the dummy and started pounding at it. Her fists knocked against the somewhat wooden doll ceaselessly as she cried out. "Fuck this, fuck this, fuck this!" she yelled. Her fist arched back for another swing but hung. She turned and blinked at Zel, who was holding her arm back.

"E," he softly said, "Breathe."

Ten seconds in, then out.

She tugged her arm off and stood up. "Sorry," she muttered, making her way to the couch.

Zel picked up the dummy and straightened it up before sitting himself beside her with a laugh. "I'm just glad you took it out on something that wasn't me."

Evi scoffed, sending a half-hearted punch to his shoulder. "I wouldn't do that to you, asshole," she grumbled.

"I was kidding, obviously."

She turned her head back searching the couch for their loot bag. After finding it, she pulled it aside and grabbed the stuffed toy hidden underneath. She wasn't sure why, but stroking it, caressing it, or just holding it, felt very comforting to Evi. She continued to do so, breathing quietly all the while. She knew Zel would be patient here.

On the streets, they could walk or scavenge for hours without talking, letting the other stew in silence. Even if they weren't mad at each other but just in general. But here? They had nowhere to go but be together.

"I just… I wanted to get it right."

Zel chuckled. "First try? Not even Jinx managed that."

"I know, my tongue still remembers her first stew," she mused, eliciting a chuckle out of them.

"So? Why were you stressing so hard over this?" He turned to her, raising a brow. "You always tell me not to get in my head about things. It's not a big deal—I mean, aside from us wasting one of Jinx's fish." He laughed, but immediately stopped when he realized she wasn't. "She won't mind that we messed up. I know that."

"I know."

"So what's the issue?"

"When you suggested we try cooking for her," Evi spoke up, this time louder, "I-I thought it'd be a good shot. To prove to her we aren't some deadweights eating up her money and food and space!" She clutched her toy. "I dunno, I fuckin' thought we could manage this!"

"We can," Zel assured. "We just gotta keep practicing!"

"What, and waste her food that she bought with our failed attempts?" Evi incredulously shot back, staring at her partner with stern eyes. He stammered, eyes darting around as he tried to find his words. He didn't get it. He saw a side of Jinx that… was honestly something close to endearment she'd wager. But Evi? She saw Jinx as a logical woman. She had been sure to stay on the side Jinx commended her for, that side of being hard and smart, but most importantly full of spunk.

With that in mind, Evi learned that Jinx was very reasonable in the way she went about things. She understood the reasoning for making the stove and microwave, it cut back on money expenses. She understood letting them play around, it distracted them from her work. She understood why they were here, it was temporary.

Evi didn't want temporary.

She wanted to prove to Jinx they had a reason to stay.

The vault door hissed open and the two froze. With a groan, Evi tossed her head back as Zel sighed, face palming. They didn't clean up the stove. She tilted her head up and scoffed. "I swear a clock would help us keep track of time!" she shouted.

"Well, hello to you too!" Jinx snickered, shutting the vault door behind her.

The two hurriedly got up from the couch and met her half way at the central hub. As they rounded the corner, they found her hunched at the bottom of a panel near the entrance to the bathroom ladder. She was shoving a bag inside. Her head shot up at them. "Whelp, figures you'd see this eventually," she muttered with a shrug. Pulling the panel back to cover it. Her eyes narrowed as she stood up. "I know you're smart kiddies, so you wouldn't dare try it, but know I always keep track of my total."

Evi pieced together the meaning behind those lines and gasped. "Your stash. Your money is there?"

Jinx nodded, walking past her as she ruffled her hair. "Yup! I still keep spending coins on me but yeah, my whole savings is in there!"

Evi fixed her hair, straightening her flashlight headband before chasing after her. "C-Can we put ours with yours too?" She could feel Zel fix her with a bewildered stare but ignored it, in favour of focusing on Jinx.

She stopped and turned. Her face was full of confusion. "E, how many times have I told ya your money is your money." She placed her hands on her hips and cocked her head, letting her blue bangs fall forward. "You'll need it!"

Because this wasn't permanent.

Evi sighed.

"What's that smell?" The two seethed. Jinx made her way over to the stove and a laugh bubbled out from her throat. "Well, well, well," she picked up the pan and shook it, smiling at the two. "Guess somebody learned cooking ain't so easy, huh?" She stuck her tongue out at them, giggling.

It was strange how her laughter could defuse such a tense or anxious moment so seamlessly. But suddenly, the nerves of their failure had nearly vanished and only disappointment crept in Evi's guys.

"We… we wasted a fish," Zel admitted.

Evi sighed again. "Sorry," she muttered.

Jinx snorted as she waved the pan around. "It's fine! You saw how fat that bag I just stuffed in there was," she replied, nodding over their heads. "Plenty of good coins left! I can get another fish." Her tone fell into a softer pitch. "Just… try not to cook without me next time? I know I don't look like I know what I'm doing, but I swear I'm safer than not being 'round at all!"

The blonde blinked at that. How could this woman do this so often? The threat of their temporary arrangement was basically a reminder almost every other day yet she also said things like "next time" or "later", like they had more time together.

Nonetheless, that prospect excited Evi and Zel, as the two shared a smile and nodded. "Sure, next time," Evi replied.

Jinx winked, setting the pan down. "How 'bout you guys fill me in on what y'all were up to while I whip us up a real meal?"

And she did.

While she cooked up some pan fried fish, she listened to them talk about their day here. They hadn't begun cooking first thing, but actually played a couple games of Tag Ball. Jinx eagerly asked who was the reigning champ and Evi easily took pride in that.

"She cheated," Zel muttered.

"Uh, uh," Jinx replied, waggling her finger. Her back was to them but her tone of wisdom was all the same. "It's Zaun, Rookie, that's how the game always goes!"

"Lame," he shot back, causing the two ladies to snicker.

But when it came to telling her about their cooking attempt—despite how much they tried to get around it—she still asked, "Why though? I mean… is it because I've been coming back late?" Her voice was… surprisingly tender.

Evi watched in awe as her shoulders hunched. "N-No," she answered. "We… we just wanted to help."

Jinx raised her head. She set the fish onto three plates—one for each of them—and turned around, her brow furrowed. "What?"

"We thought," Zel spoke up, "if we helped with the cooking… it would've made things easier on you…"

Jinx sighed, nodding her head. "Guess Ames had a point after all," she muttered to herself.

Evi looked up at her worriedly. It didn't sound like she was talking to no one like the other times, but her concern was still there. Whatever Zel was worried about, Jinx was shouldering a lot of something it seemed.

She hurried them off to the living area to eat, and for a good minute, they ate in silence. Evo and Zel spared their worried looks, between each other and her, yet found Jinx smiling as she ate. They weren't sure what was to come, but then Jinx swallowed, and stopped swaying in her rocking horse chair seat. "You two don't have to worry 'bout things like this. Playing Tag Ball, tinkering, all that," she looked up from her meal, "that should be your big focus for now."

Evi looked up from her half-finished meal—okay, so maybe she stress ate really quickly—and looked at Jinx's warm eyes. Shimmer. Her eyes were filled with the signs of a Shimmer user but she still had… kindness to them? Maybe… maybe she was starting to see what Zel saw in her. "So we just sit and fuck around?"

Jinx laughed, nodding. "You should be so lucky to! Not many kids can still do that."

She paused, registering those words.

Evi looked at the stuffed toy beside her. How long had it been… since they could act like kids? A quiver trembled in her lip before she shook it off and continued eating. It wasn't a long meal, but it still felt filling in more ways than one. Jinx joked about how their attempt at cooking was better than hers in that at least no one had to be subjected to it, which was both a praise and a dig. But soon after they finished, and Jinx had taken their dishes to clean them up in the bathroom, the food fatigued started to fall in.

Zel had set up the bed and was waiting for Evi to slide in, but she stood near the table, watching Jinx emerge around the central hub and organize her supplies. Seeing the way her shoulders hunched, the brief yawns and tired blinks, Evi frowned. If there was anything she could remember from her time on the streets, it was that exhaustion would kill you first before anything else.

"Hey Jinx!"

She turned from her desk. "Yuuup?"

"Wanna…" she took a breath, "Wanna sleep with us?"

She felt her face flush as Zel's eyes burned into the back of her head while Jinx just stared at her bewilderedly. "Uhhh what?" the woman asked.

"I…" Evi clenched her fist. "You're tired. And your mattress looks like shite." She turned to Zel and gestured between him and her. "We don't take that much space. So…" she awkwardly trailed off, hoping the intelligent woman would finish it for her.

And strangely enough, she walked down the wing with a smile. "Are you just scared of the big bad monsters and want me to scare 'em away?" she teased.

Evi blankly stared. "I'm not six."

Jinx nodded, pouting her lips. "Of course, of course!" Her eyes flew to Zel then to her. Was she really considering it? "It-It's really not a big deal. The mattress is fine—"

"We don't mind," Zel hastily chimed in.

Another glance between the two, then they both locked eyes with Jinx.

And that was how they found themselves in bed with Jinx. Evi still took the left side while Zel had the right, but instead of the bag of loot in between them like they were used to, it was Jinx. She nearly took up the entire length of the bed, but was thin. She was facing up toward the ceiling, hands behind her head, humming quietly. Both she and Zel were short enough to be just under her arms, and though she wasn't sure about Zel, Evi found herself infatuated with Jinx's proximity.

Aside from when she picked them up and carried them into the tunnels, this was the closest she'd ever been to them.

A flash of her mother appeared, if only for a second, making Evi clench onto her toy.

What was that?

Unsure of how else to distract or reorient herself, Evi raised her head to check on Zel. But to her surprise, she found him asleep. He was actually… snuggling close to Jinx? Her left arm wasn't actually resting under her head, but snaked around Zel's shoulders. He wasn't leaning on her in any way, but he was content in her space.

"He conks out first."

She turned toward Jinx. "H-Huh?"

"You slept in a lot—your first few days here—but the nights ya both went to bed together, he was the first to conk out," Jinx quietly explained. She pursed her lips before turning to the blonde. "Was he like that in the streets?"

Evi lightly shrugged, lowering her head and turning her attention down to the toy in her hands. "I dunno. Slept in shifts, so… I never really noticed."

"What 'bout the times ya stayed at Babs'?"

"Even then. Better than the ground, but… we couldn't trust if we could wake up with our stuff stolen," she softly replied.

Jinx hummed an appreciative nod. "Smart, makes sense."

Evi nodded back, her fingers trailing over the red toy's arms and legs.

"What's its name?"

She furrowed a brow and looked at the woman. "What?"

"It's name. It's gotta have somethin'."

"Well, what did you name it?"

"It didn't have one."

"But you just said—"

"Things that matter to me have names," Jinx corrected, raising a finger, "And if they have fancier fun names that means they matter extra more." She scoffed. "If that really mattered to me ya think I would've left it hanging?"

"Uhh, kinda?" Evi shrugged.

"Hmm, fair enough."

Evi pondered for a moment. She couldn't explain exactly why she liked this toy or why she found it comforting. But she could affirm that she did like it. And that she was glad she had it now. It was practically a rarity for her. To have something. And then it just slipped out. "How 'bout… Boon?"

Jinx's lips upturned with a smile. "Hm, better than 'undermine' at least…"

"Fuck off," Zel muttered under his breath, stirring a bit.

The two lightly chuckled at the boy's remark. That was the last thing Evi could remember before falling asleep. The sound of their mixed laughter, and the even breathing that followed after. It was a kind of quiet Evi could get used to.

—JINX—

When Jinx woke up, a wave of calm and relief hit her.

And somehow that scared her more.

She hasn't felt like that in years, but a glance to her left and right and she found the reasons why. Zel had his head burrowed against her side while Evi had her arms wrapped around Jinx's stomach—Boon still in her clutches. Jinx couldn't help but enjoy the smile that grew on her face as she soaked in the sight surrounding her. This was true warmth. Not even the flames of Piltover's forges could aspire to a warmth this great.

Jinx did need to head out, as she planned on heading back to the Chem-Barons once again, but…

She released a content sigh.

This was a nice feeling.

Images of Silco had her sleeping in his office after long nights with Sevika just a foot away flew by. Flashes of her, Vi, Mylo and Claggor huddled around Vander on the couch just sleeping suddenly poured through her mind. A distant picture of her and Violet, with their mom and dad, in one big bed. Jinx's eyes opened with a start as she looked around her.

When… when was the last time she thought about memories like those… and she felt happy? No voices. No tears. She simply looked down to her left and right, and found comfort.

This was what she was doing it for.

And if she was going to take Amy's advice and Babette's tip into consideration, she needed to be diligent.

It was probably the most reluctance Jinx ever had to leave hee bed and not go back to sleep, but work needed to be done. She brewed the kiddies a fresh pot of coffee like usual, and even cooked up some scrambled eggs with some grilled chicken breasts and left it out for them, ready to reheat if needed. She was surprised they slept through the smells, but was thankful for it too. It made leaving easier if they weren't staring at her with those sad eyes they had each time she left.

A simple note left behind, like usual, and Jinx was off to the Chem-Baron Council Chambers.

The ride up the elevator was boring as usual, she made a note to add some fun elevator music some time soon. But as she strolled toward the actual meeting room, she could hear the faint discussions echoing about. With a wide smile, Jinx waltzed past the numerous guards (many more than the last few times, no doubt because of her) and kicked the door open, startling everyone.

The conversations ceased, and the tophat guy sighed. "Told ya security didn't mean shit to her."

One of the goons behind her stepped forward and shakingly responded, "S-Sorry sir, but-but, it's… Jinx."

She smiled cheerily at that. "Right ya are Freddie!"

"A-Actually my name's—"

"Freddie, I know." She slammed the doors shut. "Anywho, let's talk business."

Renata, from her end of the table, face palmed and sighed. "You're here wondering if we have another job for you?"

Jinx snorted. "Doi." She tilted her head.

"Jinx, if you simply gave us some form of contact information or even just the nearby vicinity of where you live, we could send someone for you each time we have a summons," the Chem-Baroness pointed out.

She scowled. "Unlike you idiots, I don't like people knowing 'bout my place. I prefer to keep to myself," she grinned with her eyes closed. Dropping her politeness, she pouted. "But you saying ya don't got anything for me to do, Glassky? Really?"

Renata massaged her forehead. "We were just beginning our agendas of discussion." She turned to her peers. "If any of you have anything, by all means: entertain the young woman," she pleaded, gesturing toward the Loose Cannon.

"If I may?" the brunette spoke up, raising her hand. She dug into a pocket of her dress and produced a pen and card. "I find it'll be far more convenient and handy if I give you my right hand's contact information. He'll be a provider of jobs or sorts and much easier to get to than here."

Jinx blinked as she watched the woman slide the paper down to her. She ignored the name written next to the address and focused on the actual card itself. Corina Veraza - Baroness Scryer. Huh, so that was pretty haired lady's name. She'll try to remember that. Soon enough, the other Barons joined in and Jinx found herself with six cards filled with contact information, as well as names. She grimaced at it all before pocketing it. She supposed if she was going to take some business stuff seriously, she'd have to put up with this too.

"That's it?" she gestured her hands about. "No jobs?"

There was a collective sigh from the five, but Renata was the one who straightened herself up. "Actually, this may not be a job from us, but someone who could use your help." Jinx raised a brow at that, and the woman went on, "That means there's no guaranteed pay, but surely a woman like yourself could haggle a deal out of them."

Jinx cupped her chin. "Uh huh… and who is 'them'?" she finger quoted.

"Someone you're quite familiar with," Renata replied, "Sevika."

It took every muscle in Jinx's body to contain her body and not react. But the voices had other ideas…

YOUR CHANCE!

LISTEN IN!

she'll kill… the kids…

be smart… with this…

Jinx just crossed her arms. "The ogre," she bitterly corrected. The voices were right here though. This was as good a chance as any to learn something. "I heard she's been on a bit of a rampage recently." She furrowed a judging brow. "Kinda amazing how y'all let her sweep through Zaun like a pack of Enforcers." She let the dig sit in, watching a few of their faces scowl in irritation. So they weren't all onboard with this, it seemed.

"We don't mitigate everything our people do," Renata replied.

"So you've got no idea why she's turning the Undercity upside-down?" She scoffed. "Nice management material."

"What Sevika's business pertains to is hers alone—as long as it doesn't affect us. Let me assure you, she's informed us just as much that it's merely an internal conflict. Nothing we should be concerned about." The older woman tapped her fingers on the table. "Besides, such questions can be reserved for her, should you choose to aid her."

Jinx sighed, pulling up her detonator from her bag and shaking it. "My thumb's been real itchy these past few days…"

The entire room stilled at that.

Renata narrowed her eyes. "Threatening us every time for intel, will not bode well for you Jinx."

"Then be straight with me," she shot back, matching her tone. The other Barons and Baronesses were clearly taken aback by not just her hostility, but the tone of her seriousness. "This is a partnership, right? So how's 'bout you be straight with me, so I'll still do your dirty work, huh?"

The woman chuckled, offering a slow clap. "We might make a businesswoman out of you yet, Jinx." She looked to her fellow Barons and Baronesses, and they all nodded. "All we know is Sevika is looking for two trenchers. They apparently aided her with a job a couple weeks back, but recently the Sheriff managed to determine she was linked to that bombing at the Piltover Plaza near the dock," Renata informed her. "The Sheriff's investigations into shipment manifestos and contacts from Bilgewater revealed Sevika's smuggled goods, and by extension, linking the bombing as well."

"One that we all thought was your handiwork," Corina(?) chimed in, skeptically staring at her. Clearly, and very obviously, they were still fishing for intel.

Jinx just giggled.

She wasn't going to be slipping that easily. Though internally, she was a bit upset. Of course Hat Lady had a good head on her shoulders when it came to detective work (not that she'd ever say that to her), so realistically it made sense with how fast she deduced everything. She had hoped that their encounter in her office would've given the Piltie some incentive to back off, but she was smart not to trust Jinx entirely to handle Zel's bombing herself.

Or at the very least, Hat lady investigating the Plaza inevitably led her to Sevika and Zel, which meant the unavoidable scenario of pressing on and bringing it to both councils' attention. Jinx was just upset it happened so quickly, and by some extension, through the fault of the Sheriff and her justice-ness.

"In any case," Renata went on, "as you're aware, our truce with Topside ensures that—aside from your chaos—there are repercussions for drastic actions. We were notified of these events from both the Sheriff and Sevika, quite a bit ago. Sevika's shirked the blame of the attack onto these bombers. Ensuring the Sheriff and the Piltover Council that she'd have the perpetrator to answer for it: dead or alive." She shrugged, waving her augmented hand nonchalantly. "The woman made no offer to enlist our help about it, but assured us the culprits would answer for it. I suppose it's only until now that she's discarded discretion and gone out in full force."

Jinx scoffed. "But it's her fault. She was the one who got them involved and now these nobodies are taking the fall?"

The room dipped into a brief silence, exchanging glances. It was then Renni spoke. "It's the way of Zaun, Jinx, surely you already know that."

"Why, I didn't think you were one to care," Corina sniped.

Jinx rolled her eyes, waving her hand haphazardly. "Never have. Just hate the ogre and her laziness. I have standards," she proudly declared.

"I'm surprised you of all people have complaints about owning up to mistakes," Renata jabbed, narrowing her eyes.

She merely chuckled, shrugging with a half-innocent smile. They could poke and prod all they wanted, Jinx was smarter than letting them win and slipping. They didn't know it was kids Sevika was hunting for. She wasn't about to rat them out, not that easily. Instead, she placed her hands on the table and leaned forward. "So… you think Sevika's gonna take my help with this manhunt of hers?"

The woman across from her shrugged once again. "I'm not sure. Why don't you ask her yourself?"

Jinx frowned at that.

"Now as amusing as it is to engage with you, we do have important matters to discuss," Renata casually explained. She waved her finger, motioning a shooing gesture. "If you would?"

At that, the blue haired woman simply sighed. "Fine, fine, I'll hit up your right hands and ask them for deets and all that." She turned and waved over her shoulder. "Happy boring meeting!" she shouted as she opened the door and stepped out. She locked eyes with the nearest goon, some big burly guy, and chuckled. "Talk 'bout stuffy, am I right?"

The poor guy merely flinched at her stare and averted his gaze, making her laugh.

She could use a good laugh right about now. She made her way to the elevator and glared as the doors shut behind her. Now? It was time for business.

—ZEL—

Zel dragged his thumbs over Jinx's note, letting his feet sway about from his place on Jinx's chair. The height was non-adjustable—probably a Jinx feature—and so he accepted having to have his legs dangle as he worked at her desk. But he couldn't bring himself to work on anything as he just kept looking over Jinx's note that they found on the table this morning. With the smell of cooked eggs and chicken roaming the air, as well as a fresh brew, the two had actually been awoken to the sound of the vault door opening and closing.

The spiky haired boy sighed as he slumped himself over the desk, resting his chin on it as he kept his arms straight. The note read:

DEAR BRATS,

DOING SOME MORE ERRANDS TODAY. MIGHT BE BACK LATE. BREAKFAST AND COFFEE CAN BE REHEATED IN THE MICROWAVE. THERE'S ALSO ENOUGH BREAKFAST FOR YOU TO HAVE FOR LUNCH LATER (DON'T EAT IT ALL URCHIN). WILL MAKE DINNER WHEN I GET BACK SO PLEASE DON'T BURN THE KITCHEN WING DOWN.

JINX

Evi had long finished her breakfast before Zel could even get their coffee poured. He strictly told her not to eat anymore than she already did, setting a portion aside for later. But even after Zel had his meal, he found himself reading the message over and over. Concern was coursing through him as he looked at it. She was going to be late again.

"Y'know," Evi spoke up over his shoulder, munching on her now lunch, "I don't think reading that all day's gonna help ya tinker."

He sighed, throwing the note on the table and spinning to face her. His legs swayed a bit at the momentum as he frowned at her. "I know. I just… I feel bad she's gonna cook for us after coming back late."

Evi stopped chewing and lowered her fork, nodding. "Yeah, me too. But she made it clear—what can we do?" She shook her head and made her way over to the living area. "Not like she trusts us to do it without her."

"Maybe we can help her when she gets back?" he offered.

She sat herself down and scoffed, setting her nearly finished plate on the table. "Yeah, sure, like having to teach a bunch of amateurs isn't more stressful."

Zel groaned, reeling his head back. It was annoying how little they could do but also what they couldn't do with Jinx. She was hiding something and was keen on going around it. Whatever she was doing was getting to her. He didn't like the look of her stress. But somehow… Evi knew how to at least do something. His eyes flew over to his partner, smiling at the couch she sat on. The last time he fell asleep that fast was their first night here, in that bed.

She noticed his staring and tilted her head. "You know you can reheat and eat your next portion now, right? It's surely lunchtime by now."

He laughed, hopping off the chair and making his way over. "How do you know that? No clock, remember?"

She scoffed. "Another thing we need to ask Jinx 'bout," she muttered as she picked up her plate and began finishing it.

Zel stopped at the table, picking up his remaining meal. A chicken breast with some scrambled eggs on the side. "Hey E?" he softly said. He looked away from his meal and locked eyes with her. "Do… I…" he stammered, unsure how to phrase his question. His eyes flew toward the newly named "Boon" sitting beside her then to her. After a breath, he asked her, "Did you enjoy… last night?"

She stopped her chewing and clenched her fork and plate in her hands, her jaw stiff. She rested the meal on her lap and picked up Boon, holding him with a gentleness he'd never seen her possess before. "I think that was the best sleep I've ever had." She chuckled, looking up at him. "And I thought our first night here would be the all time greatest."

A wave of relief and humour washed over Zel, prompting a smile from him. "Same," he admitted, nodding. "I… I think I'd like more of that."

"Sharing a bed?"

He shook his head, looking down at his meal. "Being with Jinx. Cooking, sleeping, I… laughing," he listed off. "I-I just… I dunno."

Evi put aside Boon and placed her plate back on the table. "Zel, what's this 'bout?"

"I just… I want more. You know?" he stared at her helplessly, unsure how to put it into words. "I-I want to convince Jinx to let us stay."

Her eyes widened at that.

"B-But I-I don't think it's the same way you want it," he admitted. A nervous gulp later, and he sighed. "I… don't want this to be like an arrangement like with Babette, or a deal like with Sevika. I want it to be the way you and I are—partners." It was… amazing. How the words finally coming out just… made everything lighter. It didn't make everything make sense, but it did feel great to say it.

Evi patted the empty space next to her, her expression littered with a small smile. Within seconds, Zel had put his plate down and was next to her. She wrapped her arm around him and tugged him close. "I want more nights like last night too," she said with a softy voice, almost like a whisper. "I… I just want a place like this, to sleep in every night and eat in everyday." She sighed. "I… I just don't think she'd let us stay longer than we agreed."

Zel frowned at that, pulling away from her. He fixed a raised brow her way as he asked, "Why? Why not?" He gestured around them. "She's changed so much of our agreement since we got here, an-and is clearly nothing like we thought she was! So why wouldn't she?"

Evi stared at him, as if disbelief was coloured all over her face, and merely shook her head. "I don't know, Zel… I don't know." She stood up from her seat and marched over to the dummy, cracking her knuckles. "But I wanna convince her all the same as well." S

Zel let those words sink in as the cavern echoed with Evi's grunts and blows. He took his meal to reheat and eat by himself after that. They were on some similar page, even if it was written differently, the meaning was essentially the same. But none of that mattered because Jinx was the obstacle they had to overcome first.

He just hoped she was okay.

—JINX—

Stopping by all the Barons' right hands was a long task for Jinx. It definitely was not easier than just going straight to the Council Chambers. They were practically scattered all over Zaun! Which… made sense, because they all controlled their own territories, but still. It was annoying and exhausting, especially since each time she had to walk in and explain the whole situation to whoever the second-in-command was. Though, she did get a list of expectations and current operations from each one surprisingly. The reasoning was also justified across each one as a way of Jinx keeping tabs with current jobs and plans upon each visit. Or, a reminder for her should they ever request her help what it would be for.

In the end, Jinx had no time to pull off any jobs, but she did get a good few from Corina's guy, Chross (the wheelchair tophat guy, she now learned), and Smeech (the creepy old yordle). There wasn't an immediate deadline to these requests, and even then, Jinx played it off that she'd go about her own pace. She was going to take it slow after all. And she was proud of herself for heeding that advice.

And upon the topic of advice, Jinx decided to cap the day off with more intel.

The food kind, actually.

She decided hitting up Babette's for another recipe would be as good as time as any—she might even try it tonight depending if she had the ingredients or not! After last night's sleep, Jinx thought the kids could use more homely meals. Something warm and… domestic? If that made any sense. Nonetheless, Jinx walked into the brothel like any other evening, smiling without care and strolling down the hall.

Her hand pulled the curtain back. "Hey, Babs! I'll take ya up on that recipe—" Jinx stopped at the doorway as she saw the room before her. At her usual spot, behind her desk, sat Babette with her cigar holder. Her eyes were wide with shock. Across from the yordle? Was none other than Sevika herself. Two over her big burly goons stood on either side of her.

KILL HER!

KILL HER!

SHE'S AFTER THEM!

Jinx fought back her impulsive urges, keeping her trembling hand on the curtain drape instead of letting it fall to her thigh and brandishing her sidearm. She settled for a scowl. "Sorry, didn't know you were working…"

Sevika scoffed. "I ain't here for that kind of business." She turned back and chuckled toward Babette. "Not tonight anyway." She scooted her chair, turning it a bit to give Jinx a better view of Babette while also allowing herself an easier way to glance between the two. "I never thought you were someone to patronize here, Jinx." Her lips were turned with smugness, but her brows were listed with suspicion and curiosity.

Jinx's eyes flew to Babette.

There was no way she did…

The yordle silently and quickly shook her head.

Though relief struck Jinx, both Sevika and one of her goons noticed the head shake for a quick glance before turning back to Jinx. Their suspicion was even greater now in their eyes.

Jinx pouted. "Whelp! If you're busy then I'll just head out—"

"I was actually hoping you'd stick around," Sevika spoke up, leaning forward. She rested her elbows on her lap and interlaced her fingers. She narrowed her eyes at Jinx. "I mean, we can talk but there's no need to let business get in the way of whatever you're here for, right?"

Jinx just scowled at her. "Alright, toots, ya want my attention? What for?" She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe.

Babette's eyes nervously darted between the two's exchange the entire time.

"What were you about to ask Babette for—a recipe?" Sevika's face filled with genuine confusion. "You're still asking around for those?"

"Growing woman needs a variety for a palate." Jinx shrugged. The older woman scoffed, unamused. Jinx in turn cocked her head. "What's the business for, Seviky?"

Sevika smirked, leaning back in her seat. Jinx had known her well enough now that it was a subtle sign she was about to put her cards on the table. Not all of them, but enough. "I'm sure you've heard about my search?" she asked.

"I think a couple of the dead woke up from it, but yeah," Jinx smiled sweetly, "I may have heard ya stomping around."

Her goons scowled but Sevika raised her hand, wiping their expressions of their anger. "Yeah, well, I'm looking for… two little sumprats. A boy with brown spiky hair and a girl with blonde hair and prosthetic left leg." Jinx raised her brows, pretending to be interested. "They were the ones responsible for that Piltie Plaza blowing up a couple weeks back. Piltover wants them to answer for it."

Babette's eyes filled with worry at that. Had she not known about that?

"Ahh yes, the imposter." Jinx knowingly nodded. "I heard you hired them."

Sevika's eyes widened at that along with Babette's, though the former was out of anger and the other of shock. She shook her head, chuckling. "I'd ask how, because only the Chem-Barons know that, but I heard you've been doing jobs for them." That warranted another shocked expression from the female yordle. "Even asked 'bout me?" She smirked. "I was surprised to hear your… objections 'bout how I was doing things."

Jinx gripped at her arms. "Seems a little familiar, huh?" she bitterly spat out. "Undercity being flipped around for a couple of kids?"

That remark rattled Sevika for a couple seconds, as her face blinked in surprise. But she quickly schooled her face and clicked her tongue, shaking her head. "Your objections didn't come from you knowing they were kids." She stood up and a hiss whistled. Her poncho began to ripple, with Shimmer highlighting at her shoulder blade. "Unless…" she tugged the poncho back, letting it fall like a cape behind her as she clenched her metallic fist, "you already knew that." Her eyes narrowed once again as her goons slowly began to reach for their guns.

KILL!

run…

Jinx pushed off the door frame, standing tall as she tilted her head the other way, letting her bangs dangle on her face. "Whattya really wanna ask, Seviky?"

She scowled at her. "You know something about the kids, don't you?"

Babette's eyes pleaded with Jinx, but she wasn't having any of it.

Her voices didn't speak here. In that moment, Jinx felt the weight of… something different overcome her. It wasn't Violet's voice she heard, it wasn't Vander's, it wasn't Silco's—but it was? Not a hallucination. But like… guidance, true genuine guidance.

Three voices, all at once, telling her:

Make it known.

Jinx straightened her head and shrugged. "Yup, they're staying with me." Everyone's faces in the room widened with shock, even Babette's, which no doubt came from how hearing it out loud was insane. "They've been with me since… ya said the bombing was a couple weeks ago?" she rhetorically asked, enjoying the woman's baffled face. "Then since the afternoon they bombed the place." Sevika's eyes widened even further. "Oh yeah! Ever since!" She laughed, cocking her head the other way, "Guess ya should've started with me, huh? Probably would've saved you some time…"

"You know I know where to find you, right?" the woman spat out, gritting her teeth.

Make it known.

Jinx dipped her head forward and grinned. "You want 'em?" She grabbed Pow-Pow and brandished it right in front of them, causing her goons to pull their guns out and aim at her. The action must've surprised Sevika, but Jinx went on, whirring up her machine gun and as she giggled. "Go ahead and try and take 'em from me. I dare ya, toots," she seriously stated, narrowing her eyes back. "'Cause I'll lay waste to everything you own the second I see your face anywhere near my home."

Babette's face was full of concern, no doubt ready to take cover, while the goons looked halfway ready to brawl and leap out of the way. But Sevika? She just stared. It was like she was observing Jinx. She wasn't sure what to make of the woman's face aside from just judgement. Then a few seconds passed before the woman scoffed, shaking her head, as if something had finally hit her. She stepped back, letting her poncho fall over her arm.

"You realize what you're setting yourself up for, right?" she said in a surprisingly soft voice, tilting her head at her. "Same shit both your old men fell to," her voice was dark, as if in warning or… regret.

Jinx blinked. She didn't know what to make of that. She didn't even get what the hag was trying to prod at. But all she could think about was those three voices advising her, to make it known. So she curtly replied, "And?"

Sevika chuckled. "Of course," she shook her head, "Already in too deep."

Jinx scoffed, feeling like she wasn't getting the idea. But to her even greater surprise, Sevika whistled, and her men holstered their guns. She held her hands up with innocence and shrugged. "I guess I have a search to scrap." Jinx blinked at her, puzzled. The woman and her men marched forward, making Jinx scoot inside and over to the couch, gun still ready. No eyes locked, as the three carried themselves out like a deal had just been closed. "I'll think something up to tell the councils," Sevika said, stopping at the doorway, her hand on the curtain. She turned and smiled at Jinx—a half smile, but a smile nonetheless. "Because it's not like before. We can spin something up," she said in a soft voice.

Jinx lowered her gun, furrowing her brows at her in confusion. "As long as ya keep the kids out of your mouth," she told her.

Sevika nodded, chuckling. "And as long as you look after those brats," she replied. "Pleasure doing business, Jinx."

With that, Sevika left the room, and Jinx was all alone with Babette. She turned the yordle, who clearly needed more than a smoke and a break right about now, and laughed. She slapped her forehead and shrugged. "Business, am I right?" She sat herself in the chair Sevika had just been in and smiled. "Anyways, ya got another recipe for me? I have two kids to cook for," she casually said.

She made it known after all.

---

A/N: Here, you can all see some aspects of what Evi and Zel share most with Jinx. Evi has a bit of Jinx's crazy and passion, but Zel's got a lot of the heart and brains. And this is BEFORE they met her, so being with her has only amplified these traits. I wanted to explore their connections separately from each other but more toward their feelings of Jinx. So I kind of latched onto certain points I thought would be good bridging paths to future or current ideas.

For those who don't know, "boon" means blessing, or something that is helpful. So… I think y'all get the sentiment here, ( ^‿^).

And speaking of sentiment, it seems Jinx has gotten hers across! Not yet to the kids, but to herself and Sevika (and Babette). She's admitted she's in it for real now, and boy has that struck a chord with Sevika. Sevika being irritated at first was more so because she THOUGHT Jinx kept the kids just to spite her and make her life difficult, but of course she realized it wasn't.

In case it isn't clear, Sevika being shocked with Jinx's "familiar" comment was similar to the bar scene in the last chapter: Jinx bringing up the past so cavalierly and without any reactions is different from what Sevika is familiar with. So I think y'all get why the standoff ended the way it did. Those voices coming in to guide Jinx was more similar to how Vander came in and spoke with Vi during her fight with Sevika. It wasn't her psychosis, it was the part of them in her.

Angst is great and all, but I want to try for happier things.

Next chapter update: [EDIT] August 12th!

Stay safe and stay lovely y'all.

Until next time,

- Bleh