Marie finally gets to meet Benzo and Ekko, Powder still feels bad about what happened to Lia, and Vander is just rolling with the punches...well, not really.
Chapter 4:Magic Girl
Silco couldn't recount how many times he had searched through this woman's tech, but it was enough time to learn its purpose. He had gone through numbers, music, pictures, videos, messages, whatever else he could find he found it with little to no issues.
He was absolutely engrossed in it, curious of how one little thing could hold so much information. Perhaps he would have a chance to ask her one of these days, but for now he was more fascinated by the pictures and videos.
He swiped picture after picture, a lot of them being of the woman with her daughter that went all the way back to the day she was born. One caught his eye, a photo of the very tiny babe in a clear box of some kind and wires connected to her little body while she breathed through a tube. The woman was in the picture as well, but instead of smiling, her gaze was transfixed heavily on the baby, her eyes droopy, and tired, as if she had been up for days. It wasn't her who had taken the picture though, someone else had taken in secret.
Carrying on Silco began to swipe through the photos again, finding some of them to be of her with friends and family, and even colleagues from the looks of it.
There was mention of her being a nurse somewhere. From what Silco could tell she really enjoyed her occupation, and was well liked.
After nearly reaching the end of his scrolling Silco finally found the few of just her, not many, but some. The first couple of them were of her in a nazy blue liotard with grey stockings and black black ribbon laced shoes and frozen in different elegant poses. Most were of her in mid dance, twirling, leaping in mid air. It was something Silco hadn't expected to see, but alas he continued his search.
The next few were of her in a dazzling sleeveless ruched cocktail dress with a deep V neck that showed off her ample chest and bare back. The next one was of her in a secondary dress she mentioned, a burgundy off the shoulder short sleeve dress with a high front and low back skirt.
If he had to choose between the two himself, she looked more ravishing in the burgundy, especially with the matching lace that complimented her neck.
He sighed deep within his chest and leaned back into his chair swiping right to the next photo. This time it was of her at an event of some kind. There was a stage, booths, and balloons, and everything seemed to glow in the dark. She had a crown of little dual colored flowers in her hair, dressed in a purplish blue knitted halter top and a pair of shorts with her face painted up to look like a piece of art, all while making a funny face.
A sense of humor this one.
He felt a tug pull at his lips before they fell back into a neutral state, this time going back to browse her videos, and clicked on a random one. It was a message to someone, a friend from what he could tell.
"Hey Dawn, so-, I haven't been on a date in...geez, two years now? I'm... not so sure how I feel about it. Misha says it'll be good for me, but he thinks anything involving me getting out is a good thing."
Her chuckle was forced, apparent that this whole thing made her uneasy, but through that Silco had found her voice to be gentle and warm.
"So, to not disappoint, I'll send you both a preview of the dresses. Maybe you guys can help me choose one? I'm crap at these kinds of things."
Suddenly she turned around when she heard small muffled noises coming from the other room, and sighed through a tired smile.
"I better go, nana's here and you know how she loves to spoil Lia with gummy bears. Before I know it, she'll be bouncing off walls."
This time she nodded thoughtfully snorting before she gave a genuine soft giggle and waved at the camera.
"Call me back soon, okay? Love you!"
Silco made a noise, almost a hum as he continued on to the next one, this time the woman sat with a plop on her bed, hanging her head low with a deep sigh before she nudged her hair out of her face and stared back at the device.
"Well... It didn't go as planned, but I did make a new friend out of it. I guess, that's what counts, right? Positive affirmation, or...Something like that, heh. You know... to be honest, I don't think I'm ready for this sort of thing. I already have a lot on my plate, and...dating might only complicate things. Michael's also asking to take Lia for the summer, so, I have lots to think about. I just-, need more time, you know? Right now, I'm okay with where I'm at."
She smiled, looking down and away from the lens before shifting her eyes back.
"Anyway, I'd really love to hear some of your super terrific advice! Call me back soon, please?"
There were a few more he had played over again, but one in particular really caught his attention which he had saved the best for last. This one was not to anyone in particular, but did seem to be a personal message to herself. He pressed play, and the first he saw was the woman fidgeting with the gadget for a second until she sat back in on a soft bed shrugging her shoulders as she bit her lip in a nervous fit.
"Hi. I-, um...This is...so stupid."
She chuckled shaking her head away from the camera but looked back with a sad and troubled expression.
"My therapist suggests I document what's been happening with me... Not-, that I'm depressed or anything I've just been...under a lot of stress lately. It's affecting my sleep, which means it's affecting my work and everything else."
Silco listened closely to every word, almost trying to puzzle in pieces that could've been missing.
"I don't know where to start but, for a long time, ever since I was a kid, I've always had this weird ache in my stomach. It feels like an accumulation of physical pain that just wants to release from my body. It used to come in spurts too, but recently... I'm like a bubble ready to burst. It starts off like a small ball..."
She scoffed trying to describe it, looked up thoughtfully and lifted her hand up as if she was holding an invisible ball in her hand.
"...and it just constantly keeps rolling, growing bigger, and bigger, and then, it stops. I'm not sure why. Now that I'm older, it's more intense, and it's getting worse. I want to say it's from the divorce, but it can't be. Micheal and I have been very cordial about everything. I actually went to the doctors for a physical just to be sure, but they couldn't find what was wrong with me. I even got a second opinion! I have no idea what's wrong with me."
She muttered the last part but loud enough for the device to pick it up.
"Maybe it is just stress? I mean, when you're a nurse you do see a lot of pretty messed up stuff, but...You also see a lot of good things too, real tear jerkers."
She smiled and gave a soft chuckle.
"It's why I love my job so much, honestly."
She seemed to contemplate something silently to herself, and then smiled again.
"It's that and Lia that keeps me going. She's not just 'my pride and joy', she's my everything. My life line, my little number one fan!"
She giggled to herself.
"A little champ is what that girl is."
Humming admirably, the woman scooted up to the edge mischievously, and leaned into the camera.
"Mr. Miheal says she gets it from him, but I think she's a perfect mix of both, having the best parts of us, regardless of where we are now."
There was a great pause as she reminisced on something, her bottom lip trembling as she tried to smile the best she could. She quickly wiped something away, from the duct of her eye and covered what seemed to be a hint of sadness behind the smile she hid it with.
"I've been blessed, truly."
Suddenly, the door opened with a creek off screen.
She turned to it with a gasp, and immediately smiled warmly, cooing softly with her arms stretched out to the anonymous presence.
"Hey sweetheart! What are you doing up?"
Lia wobbled into the frame and shuffled onto the bed next to her mother, rubbing her eyes of sleep as she pointed outside of the room.
"Scary."
"Scary? Where? Do I need to go kick some monster butt?"
Lia nodded wrapping her arms around her neck, getting her mother to hug her back making small circular motions against her back as she picked her up.
"Okay, up we go."
She then walked over to the phone and kissed the side of her child's head before turning it off.
It was then he turned the phone off. His fingers curled around the device and pressed his knuckles against his mouth in deep thought. The woman, who he had learned was named Marie, seemed to be nothing more than an ordinary woman. A hundred questions had risen to the top of his mind, wondering how such a lovely young woman with a child could end up in such a place as Zaun.
Where exactly did she come from?
Something wasn't adding up.
From the way her and the others in the pictures and videos dressed, to their lingo, and even from the glimpses of their lives, it was obvious that Marie and her child were not of their world. Nowhere in Runeterra had this sort of technology and that peaked his interest immensely.
It meant that he had discovered something no one else had, and there was more like it. To him, it was definitely worth looking into, "Perhaps I may have an upper hand on Piltover after all."
Ekko had been waiting impatiently for the others to arrive for a while now. He fidgeted with the gizmo in his hand, tossing it between one palm then the other, which Benzo noticed for the 10th time, and gave a hearty chuckle when his eyes shifted from his magnifying glass to the boy, "Time goes by slower when you gawk like that."
"I know, but, they should be here soon. I just want to wait a little longer." Ekko replied hopeful and full of anticipation.
"You can wait for them while you're unpacking the crates." The boy could only roll his eyes and slump to his feet, "Yes sir."
"Don't worry son, when they get here, you'll be the first to know." As if on queue, the shops bell rang as Vander walked in with Marie, Lia, (who were both wearing masks) Vi, Powder, Mylo, and Claggor. "Ah! Speak of the devils!" Vander chuckled under his breath as he closed the door behind the pack, and strolled up to the counter, "This devil has come for your counsel, old friend. I may try to take your soul while I'm at it." He joked.
"Eh, who the hell hasn't?" He scanned his eyes up and around his pawn shop, grinning as he gave a strong shake of Vander's hand, only to have his gaze drawn to Marie and Lia, who stood by quietly, the dark haired woman giving a warm smile as she waved gently, "Hello now, who are these two lovely ladies?"
"Benzo, meet Marie and little Lia. These are the two that I mentioned." Marie shot a gaze at Vander but said nothing only smiled at Benzo who scanned her up and down pointing a finger at her as he shifted his eyes back to his brother in arms, "You mean that girl who-," Vander immediately hushed him nudging his head towards Vi and the others.
Of course, this caught the attention of Vi who wasn't naive to the sudden odd behavior, and it became even more apparent when Benzo coughed and called out to Ekko, "Uh, Little Man, why don't you go show them the rest of the new junk I managed to swindle. You know the one."
"Sure. I think I actually told you guys about it, but since you're all here I can finally show it to you." He said jumping down from a tall table, enthusiastically.
"What is it again?" Claggor asked, scratching the top of his head.
"It's like a...Transmitter, I think. I'm not really sure, but it's really cool."
Vi chuckled as the walked over to the next room, "I believe you, let's see it then."
Once the kids were out of the room, Benzo pointed to the empty doorway and leaned in just as Vander did, whispering, "I take it you haven't told them yet?"
"No, I haven't. I want my ducks in a row before I tell them anything. You got a few looking for this one, and I need a plan B if things don't pan out."
"Who? Magic girl? I would say so." He laughed between disbelief and satire, "Still don't believe a word of it."
"Yeah well, believe it or not, they don't know who she is or what she knows."
"Yet." Said Benzo.
"Exactly, at this point the whole thing is just speculation, but...Still if they find out it's her, you know they're going to want answers, and what she says may be true. She knows key details that others wouldn't." His eyes flicked back at her but it was so quick Marie could only arch a brow curiously as she kept silent.
"So...she's a psychic then?"Benzo looked utterly confused, but Marie just chuckled to herself and shook her head when he seemed to be asking her the question rather than Vander, "Okay. Phew, I thought you all were losing your minds."
"Well, maybe we are." Vander replied stifling a chuckle.
"Don't even joke like that. What's this 'key detail', anyway?" Vander grimaced and looked down at his pauldron which Benzo noticed and widened his eyes simultaneously hitching his breath.
"She knows about him." He told him.
"A lot of folks know him, that doesn't mean a thing."
"You're right...But, what about this?" He gave him the paper she had written down on, and Benzo picked them up and read over every word twice, baffled, "You're joking."
"I wish I was."Vander shifted grey eyes to Marie's again, gaze soft, and expression comforting when he noticed how worried she looked, "She's definitely got some insight into what's coming, and I need your help, Benzo. Otherwise we're all doomed.
"Me?! What can I do?! I run a pawn shop for goodness sake!"
"Ah, but you do have a talent for disguise, don't you?"
"Not these days. I know how to make a good bargain, that's about it."
"It's nothing extravagant, just help me keep her under wraps for a couple more weeks until the heat dies down. To keep her discreet. If you-know-who discovers this lass here, Piltover's going to have a field day with her."
"Dissect more like... I'm starting to see why you may want to keep her on the down low? I mean, other than the Council's investigation...and the fact that she knows about this plan on Piltover."
"If you saw harlequin clouds come out of nowhere, and drop a blaze of light down into the Underground, what would you do?" Benzo took a moment to think about it but he came up with nothing and shrugged his shoulders, "Don't know, be curious, I guess. I'll say this though, we're already walking on an incredibly thin line with Piltover, mate."
"So should I just abandon this girl off with her tike and leave her out on the streets?" He asked, even though he knew his friend better than that, "Now you know that's not what I mean."
It was then Marie shook Vander's arm gently and handed him a piece of paper, one that made him raise a brow and gaze back at her dumbfounded, "You serious?"
"What'd she say?"
"She said, she can prove she's telling the truth."
Benzo arched a brow and eyed Marie suspiciously leaning his arm onto the counter, "Oh yeah? Prove it then." He said daringly.
"Here." Vander handed him the paper, and when he read this one, his jaw dropped."Bloody hell..." The next thing they heard was him calling for Ekko, "Little Man!" There was the sound of shuffling, a crash and whispering before he made himself known with a grin on his face that Marie recognized to be his way of hiding something, Trying to be slick, huh Ekko? Marie couldn't help but feel a rise of giggles rise to her chest, yet used self control to keep her composure, "Yeah Benzo?"
"Are you spying on us?!"
"No, why would you think that?" The boy went rigid as his eyes tried to stay ahead but his hands immediately slipped behind his back causing Benzo to see right through it and eye the young man, "Ekko..." He voice sung that tone anyone would know as a child. The tone of getting caught red handed, which got Ekko to cave and hang his head back releasing a big sigh. It was quite comical and adorable all at once, "Okay, okay, I was, but we all knew something was wrong when you told us to leave. I thought we said no secrets?"
"There's a difference between secrets and adult conversations!" Benzo bellowed, causing Ekko to cringe, "I know, but that sounded pretty important." Vi casually walked in from behind him, all of them did, seeming to now know something, and Vander shook his head when he realized they all heard the conversation. That's when he glared at Marie and whispered harshly, "Why didn't you mention anything before we started talking?"
Marie hit her head, insinuating that she forgot, even mouthed it, but the big hound of a man only snorted and rubbed his face. It was causing Marie to become guilt ridden for letting it slip, "How much did you hear?" He asked the eldest.
"All of it." Was all she said flatly, "Did we hear that right?"
Marie flushed embarrassed and suddenly felt a physical thud in her chest, but Vander quickly interjected calmly, "You did, but in the meantime we're trying to stop it. If we can figure out a way to get these folks to a specific location we may have a chance to fix this whole thing. We might even be able to ease the Council if things go smoothly. First, we need Marie and Lia to lie low, so they'll need another safe haven just in case things go south."
"How? Everyone knows about her." There was worry in her voice, but Vander had it already figured out..
"Ah, but not everyone is willing to talk to the enforcers. That's where I come in. Vi, you need to trust me on this. It's not only important, it'll be dangerous, so I need everyone here to listen closely and do exactly as I say." He gazed around the room , "You think you all can do that?" Everyone nodded with no questions asked, "Good. The plan is this, Marie knows someone Topside that may be able to find out how she got here. If all goes well, we might be able to get our foot in the door with the Council. If it goes well."
"Why topside though? Why do we need their approval?"
"We don't, but peace is our best option. Real peace."
"Who is it? T-the person she's looking for, I mean." Claggor spoke what everyone else was most likely thinking.
"Well, that's up to Marie to disclose." Vander replied looking over to the woman in question. She felt all eyes on her, holding a very docile Lia who was just playing with the locket around her neck.
"Yeah, I mean it's not every day someone just drops in from outer space and merely requests to see the council. Should be a piece of cake." Mylo spoke sarcastically animating his arms with exaggeration, but for the most part no one seemed to even respond to it.
Yet they understood his concern. The question was how could they execute it?
"Right, so it's settled then?" Vander seemed to want to get this over with, and looked around to see everyone agreeing to him, except for Vi, "Who does she want to see topside? How do we even know she's not working for them?" Marie was slightly offended, but she couldn't exactly be upset when everyone had a right to be suspicious. Hell, she was suspicious of herself, she had no explanation as to why she was there or how she got there.
"You really think she'd put her own child at risk while trying to spy for Piltover?" Vi didn't have a retort but something was troubling her, perhaps it was just a lot of information to take in. "I promise you Vi, she wouldn't do anything to hurt us. You've seen it, I know you have." Vi hesitated looking between Marie and Lia and then Vander before she lowered her eyes, calming her rapid thoughts that the adults could tell were swirling around in her head.
Marie didn't see the need to hide the name of the person she was searching for, and in a moment she immediately wrote it down and handed it to Vander. Upon reading it he became enlightened by the prospect, "Heimerdinger..." The name slipped from his mouth but it was said as if he was in a trance, "That would make sense, wouldn't it?" He was almost smiling back at Marie as the wheels started to turn in his head, everything coming together, "He's got first hand knowledge on this sort of thing. Marie you're brilliant!"
Marie mouthed 'Stop it! ' as her face began to flare up as red as a lobster at the compliment
But she only knew about Heimerdinger because of her knowledge of this world, otherwise she would have been at a loss until someone else had mentioned it, and who knew how long that would've taken. She couldn't take credit for that, but Vander didn't seem to mind because the next thing he said was, "You also just gave me an idea."
"What is it?" Benzo asked curiously, everyone thinking just the same, "I'll explain later, right now I need to make a few house calls. So, is this it? Are you with me on this, Benzo?"
"Brother, my answer hasn't changed in the last 25 years, what makes you think it's going to change today?" He laughed grinning to get his brother in arms to do the same.
Vander then looked to the children, "I know this is all very confusing, but I believe Marie when she says we could all be in danger. She wants to help, whatever help that is."
"Yes sir." The younger ones replied, then Claggor, and Mylo who nodded. Vander then turned to Vi, his eyes filling with hope, "Well Vi, what do you say?" Vi looked all around the room, her eyes setting on Powder, and then Lia. Marie could swear that Vander and her had the same twinkle in the eyes, because once she smiled all Violet could do was throw up her hands up and blow air out from her mouth, "I mean, sure, why not? It's not like the fate of Runeterra is in our hands or anything."
Benzo hissed at the idea as he itched his beard, "Well, when you put it that way..."
"Alright, don't freak yourselves out just yet. So it's settled then. Anything else you want to add to this, love?" Marie felt a little foolish but shook her head, "Alright. Sorry for the bombshell Benzo, but I didn't know who else to turn to."
"My door is always open to you, you ugly bastard."
"Oh well, it takes one to know one doesn't it?" Benzo and Vander both got another laugh out of their banter as the rest walked towards the door, "Good luck, mate! As for you young lady, do me a favor and keep this one out of trouble will you? Seems to follow him no matter where he goes." Marie did a goofy salute and waved farewell while carrying Lia who had been awfully quiet the whole time up until she tried to put her mask back on.
Her mother attempted to place it on her mouth, but Lia hummed shaking her head away mumbling 'no'. Marie frowned and tried to ask what was wrong, but her daughter only pouted her lip and said no again with a raspy croak, "What's wrong slugger? Is the mask uncomfortable?" Vi came over to help, and smiled gently as she took a mask from her belt and placed it on her face, "I know they suck, but it helps you breathe better! See? I have a mask too! How about it? I put on my mask and then you put on your mask? Can you do that for me?" The little ones sulky face started to soften and with a small nod she clumsily put it on her face making Vi give her a gentle cheer, and then gaze back to the others.
"Good work, Vi." Vander praised the sentiment by putting on his own mask. Everyone also followed suit, of course not without Mylo giving a big fuss about it, but Vi just told him to, "Shut up and do it." He didn't need any more than that, but did so reluctantly. "Alright, are we ready to go?"
"Powder do think we could play a round at your place tomorrow?" Ekko suddenly asked jumping with excitement.
"You betcha." She gave a wave and so did everyone else as they left.
"Be safe!" They all walked the back streets to the Last Drop, almost in silence.
Marie had noticed that ever since that day Lia collapsed Vander had been relatively distant. Almost as if he was avoiding her. At first she didn't want to assume, he was a busy man after all, and he had a lot weighing on his shoulders. Stress could've been a big factor to that, but it had been days since then, nearing two weeks, and it was definitely making Marie feel a sort of way.
She did try to keep in mind that he said she wasn't a burden, so...Maybe she hadn't imagined him leaning in to kiss her? He must've thought about it and then got cold feet. It was the only thing that made sense to her, but she was a little sheepish about bringing it up herself.
They couldn't stay like this forever though, and at some point they were going to have to be adults about it, and if he wouldn't make the first move, she would.
Once they returned, everyone headed downstairs except for Vander who told them he needed to check on Huck to make sure he wasn't overwhelmed. She understood, but she couldn't help but feel a ping of dispiritment. She tried to smile it off, unfortunately it felt as though it wasn't worth the pain she felt in her cheeks as she did it.
Even Vander noticed how forced it was, and immediately he frowned and gave her a pair of melancholic eyes that were riddled with guilt.
Great, now she felt guilty too, and cursed herself when the sensation persisted.
Once she reached the living room, Powder had walked to her room but not without looking back at her and Lia. It was fast and when her eyes met with Marie she almost seemed to scurry off in a hurry. She didn't close her door on the way in, but left it open just a crack.
That was when the woman took Lia's mask off, placed it on the center table and cautiously walked up to the kids room with a gentle knock, "Vi?" Feeling like she gave the girl false hope, Marie placed Lia down and watched as she ran through the door at the speed of light and stepped down the stairs one foot at a time, "Oh...Lia, I don't think you should be here." Her voice sounded shaky, but Marie made herself known with a light knock, a gentle yet welcoming smile painting her face, 'Can I come in?' Powder shied away a bit, her big blue doughy eyes looking back as if she was about to be scowled.
That was far from Marie intended, instead, the woman walked in slowly, descending down the stairs until she approached the bed and kneeled down on the floor, 'Are you okay?' It had been long enough for the kids to pick up on certain sounds and clicks. At this point in time Marie could practically whisper in order for those to hear her, even Powder had instantly gotten it, but Marie knew how smart this young girl was, how smart she would become, "I'm fine." She lied shrinking into herself trying to keep her eyes on her gadget.
'How is Mouser doing?' She asked excitedly, causing powder to gasp in surprise, "How did you know her name?" Marie tapped her finger to her head and smiled brightly at her before asking, 'Did something upset you?'
"It's just...I...I was supposed to be watching her, and I feel like I might've...Well, I'm afraid I-," Before she could finish Marie shook her head, and told Powder to head her thoughts and patted her shoulder softly, untangling a part of her bangs as she attempted to pronounce her words, 'Nothing is your fault.' Her eyes went from hurt to wide and bright, confused by Marie's reaction, "But...I noticed her wobbling and-, I didn't get help right away. I froze!" Her voice went up higher in worry, beating herself up for something she couldn't control. Marie softly hushed her and held her hands as she held Mouser.
Marie was forbear, her begnin guise getting Powder to relax and open up, if not just a little bit, 'Everyone gets scared sometimes. You didn't know what was happening.' She explained compassionately.
Powder could see that Marie was very much telling the truth, but she was still doubtful, it wasn't until the woman leaned her head down to catch her eyes, and showed nothing but tenderness and care.
'Please, this is not your fault. I am her mother. No matter what happens, she is my responsibility.'
The young blue haired girl began to reflect on it, when Marie put a hand to her knee and squeezed lightly, 'She loves to be around you, you know. You are very special to her.' She said comfortingly.
"R-really?" Marie smiled nodding and gestured Lia over to sit on the bed next to Powder, immediately Lia scooted even closer to her and
'Really!' Marie said with a big grin pointing to Mouser, 'She's already picking up on gadgetry because of you. In my world we do something similar. This is an excellent skill to have."
"You, have stuff like this?" She asked wondrously pointing to a few of her own designs hanging upon her bed side, to which Marie nodded and told her about the types of toys and devices that were invented in her world. To toasters, microwaves, portable music players, to cars and submarines, and even rocket ships that went into space, which Powder could hardly believe, "How is that impossible?!"
'Our discoveries are just a little different, but our worlds, our races, and species are not so mismatched. Just different toys and different paths. Everyone, all start off just like you, but as they grow, they make amazing life-changing things...and so will you.' Powder was flabbergasted, but almost immediately her persona went back to being the curious and spunky kid she'd come to know. She looked over Mouser one last time, a glimmer of a smile painting her face before she gazed down at Lia who was looking at the little mini bomb as well, and finally Powder shifted her eyes to Marie hopefully, "You really think so?"
'I know so.' Marie replied confidently.
Powder's nose crinkled when she smiled this time, and with even more ambition found that spark, "Is it okay if I show Lia some of the new gadgets I made?" She asked.
'I think she would really like that.' Marie gave a wide smile, heartfelt and glad to ease Powder's worries and doubts. To know that she could help her in some way swelled her heart with joy, and hoped she could do it in the near future.
As she watched the two huddle together, and Powder began to show Lia how to put one of her gadgetries together, Marie suddenly had an epiphany.
Her expression that was once content was now filled with concern, sensing a domino effect go off in her head.
What happens if Silco never meets Jinx?
She felt like such a fool. Marie was so worried about warning Vander about Silco's ambush, that she never thought of the consequences of Silco never having his paradigm shift.
He'll never know what it's like to protect someone he cares for, and Marie might've just ruined it.
She didn't hate Silco, quite the contrary, she wanted better for him. He was angry understandably for good reasons, but he blinded by power and revenge. He was literally scarred forever by Vander, that the only thing Silco knew was fighting back, to do anything to get what he felt was for 'the cause', a need to be at the top because he started so far at the bottom. Him and Vander both went through a lot of turmoil, which explained why he acted the way he did.
How was she supposed to help Vander, while being merciful towards a man that would do anything to get what he wanted?
I...I don't want Vander to die, or Mylo and Claggor, but if Powder never meets Silco...They may all die! Powder would never forgive me if I'd let something door that happen to Vi. I need to tell Vander about this.
Marie began to bite the nail of her thumb, stuck in the middle of the hallway as began to lean against the wall, Is there any way to save Vander, Mylo, and Claggor in the process though? Damnit, how could I have messed things up so badly? Vander's going to lose his shit. She finally concluded this with anxiety rising like waves during high tide. She almost felt as if she couldn't breathe fear starting to envelope her more and more until her stomach started to ache.
Vi, Claggor, and Mylo all were coming out of the kitchen when they saw Marie leaning against the wall, "Marie." The woman attempted to smile and wave, but Vi seemed to notice her tension and cold sweat, "Are you okay?" Marie could only nod and mouthed, 'Tired' to her.
"Ah, yeah this whole thing has been pretty crazy, but... I'm glad you're here. I'm sorry about not believing you earlier, and-, tried to insinuate that you might be working for 'them'. It's just Piltover has said before that they've want to help us but it's always with force and their promises never stick. It's like they want us to suffer, like they're better than us, but...We didn't choose this. It just is." Marie didn't hesitate to tell her it was okay, and that she had nothing to be sorry for.
Vi gave a soft smile in return, one of relief before she began to look down at her fingers she was fiddling with, "Do you...do you think we could ever find a way to...you know...Change the way things are? For the Underground, I mean?" The question made Marie gaze at her quizzically, really considering it.
Was there a way to do that? 'I hope so.' She whispered.
"Yeah...Me too." Vi stood there for another minute, almost seeming to want to ask something else but reframed herself, and cleared her throat, "I'm going to see Powder, see if she wants to go downstairs for a bit. Nice chatting with you, Marie." The dark haired woman felt a pull at her lips as she waved her off, finding herself alone once again.
She began to make her way to the stairs when abruptly she felt a sharp pain in the center of her body, doubling over as she gasped back clutching between the under part of her ribcage and her stomach. Marie tried to wait for the pain to subside and slowly made an attempt for the door, but it was coming in intervals.
The first one was a shock, the second brought Marie to her knees causing her to release a silent scream. She felt a thud reverberate within her, each pulse beginning to grow more and more until it left Marie in agony. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes as she took short breaths to merely breathe, every crawl up the steps was unbearable, even more so when she grabbed for the door knob and attempted to lift herself up as she turned it.
When she did, Marie had thought she'd witnessed a glowing blueish white light shrouded in black illuminating from her center, but before she could comprehend anything that was happening, her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapsed.
I hope this chapter was okay, not much happens but it's setting up for more things in the near future. The next chapter will have a lot more going on, I promise you won't want to miss out!