Marie tries her best to cope with new changes in the midst of also attempting to keep her and Lia out of trouble, as well as convincing herself to tell Vander of the things to come. Meanwhile, somewhere in Zaun, someone is lurking in the shadows, listening to everything that is being said at the Last Drop.

Chapter 2: The Fallen Star

Marie was biting the tip of her thumbnail, arms crossed and tapping her foot with her back towards the wall next to the main door that led out through Vander's home and into the back of the bar. Her mind was racing while taking small peeks outside a now loud filled establishment. It was her second day there in The Last Drop, and her nerves were still running high from yesterday.

Although if she thought too much of what was going on around her and this kind of environment was very new to her.

She was going to have to show some fangs in order to be twice the intimidation if she wanted to be here, regardless of her voice.

As she contemplated to herself she looked down at her outfit at least five times before coming upstairs, and it was her sixth. She was dreadfully self conscious of the outfit, feeling as though she was cosplaying, but had to be realistic about it. Today in order to try to not 'stick out like a sore thumb', Marie wore a deep ocean green corset over an emerald dress shirt with some dark leather pants and a pair of gray-green boots.

The given attire was sent by friends of Vanders, who he had reluctantly kept anonymous. Marie had already felt as if she had taken a great deal, but Vander wouldn't hear of it, instead he told her to just take the clothes and he'd do the rest. Feeling guilty, she did, but vowed to pay him back one way or another.

She hoped when she awoke this morning, it would've all been just a dream, but alas, it was more than that. She was no longer home, instead she was now in a foreign land, excited and afraid all at once, but she wouldn't let that stop her. So, with a pounding heart, Marie took two deep breaths, turned towards her destination, and walked through the threshold. She strolled in with strong broad shoulders, trying to illuminate confidence the best she could.

Vander was already at the bar talking with Huck when she approached, and when the Hound laid eyes on Marie he nearly froze looking her up and down, and chuckled as he welcomed her with open arms, "Well, look at you! You clean up real good! You better be careful now or the lads are going to be all over you." Marie couldn't help but blush and smiled to hide it, throwing a hand up in modesty, "No I mean it, it suits you." There was a small pause between the three before Vander looked from Marie to a sly smiling Huck shaking his head of his day dream as he reached out his arm in Marie's direction, "We didn't do a proper introduction yesterday, did we? Huck, meet Marie, our little fallen angel." The woman raised her brows at him, but made no other reaction other than to wave at Huck and extended out her hand to shake his, "It's a pleasure to meet you in person, miss." He said with a gentle shake.

"He's my right hand man this one. Trust him with a lot of the dealings here, so if you ever need a good deal of wares, he's your guy." A ping of pain physically thudded within her when she remembered a glimpse of Huck's fate, but she refused to show it. Maybe there was a way to fix that, so that Huck did not have to resort to shimmer. Marie smiled brightly in order to mask her grievance, and instead tried to change to the subject, 'Did you guys need any help today? I feel bad for just sitting here twiddling my thumbs.'

The men looked at each other before Vander gazed at Marie with concern, "Lass, I think you should recover first before diving head first into...Well..." He seemed to have difficulty with his words before Marie thought it was a good time to maybe to give him the warning she had been so desperately wanting to tell him, but just as she was about to consider it, Huck interrupted, "I-I know the woman is having a bit of a problem trying to speak, but...Maybe we could both find a way to make her comfortable? Maybe find her specialty before just throwing her to the wolves, if you know what I mean." Huck had a very good idea for a start, and relief swept over her as she thanked him silently, making the man smile shyly, itching his cheek in his own means of bashfulness, "Oh, it's no big deal, really. Glad I could help."

'I don't know this world, so any help is appreciated.' Marie wrote down as Vander leaned in between the both of them, "Just remember not all will understand. I've seen a man shank another when he merely didn't reply, so be careful if you can help it " Maire agreed and nodded to Vander reassuringly before writing down, 'So what should I do? I can't just sit around waiting for the answers I need to get home. Where do I even start? '

"Well..." Trying to ponder a way to help the woman ,Vander ran his fingers through his hair before finally coming up with a conclusion, but he refused to say it just yet, "Huck, could you give us a minute?"

"Yes, of course." When Huck was out of ear shot, Vander leaned in close to Marie getting her to do the same so no one could overhear their conversation, "I might know someone topside who may be able to help. I'll send them a message, see if we can't come up with a hint as to-, well, finding a hint. In the mean time, let's find that 'specialty' Huck mentioned, hm? What did you do for a living back home?"

Marie itched her cheek and decided to write down again, this time more hopeful, 'I'm a nurse.'

He grinned optimistically, and nodded pointing down at what she had written, "We need more aid down here like you wouldn't believe." Hearing that gave Marie a sense of pride, and hope to not feel so useless, "Who knows, maybe you could be our personal aid at the bar, eh? You wouldn't believe how many fights I've broken up-, hence the word 'broken'. Actually...That's a bad joke, I'm sorry." Marie put a hand to her mouth trying to hide the giggle behind her lips while Vander smiled back as well and chuckled, "Well I'm glad I can put a smile on your face, considering your condition." He wasn't wrong.

The woman had looked as though someone had beaten her bloody, but she was taking it in stride. Other than a few aches, she felt alright considering. She had to admit though she knew she must've looked a sight, and couldn't help but feel a little self conscious about it, her eyes starting to move away from his said everything, and Vander noticed, "Hey," She turned to meet the man's gaze again, but as she did she gasped when she felt a warmth cover her hand that was laying flat on the bar table, and he squeezed gently, his eyes telling her everything was going to be alright. "We have plenty of options, just take it one step at a time. For now, rest. Ain't no one rushing you out of here." Marie felt herself breathe again when he released her, "A few days should do it, and then you can make a decision of what you want to do, yeah?"

Marie sighed and felt it was no use trying to argue it. Her muscles were aching, the one in her shoulder was pulled and with each step she was walking with a limp. When she was reminded of the pain the woman reluctantly nodded and laid her chin into her palms.

Vander asked Huck to take care of the customers in the mean time, and with a gentle smile he nodded and left, "I know it's no fun, but on the upside you get the best service we have around, ha." Vander had a small towel in his hand when he decided to put it away. Once he did he turned back to see Marie looking back at him. She used her hands to sign a thank you as gratitude shined through her eyes and smile, "It's no trouble, now quit worrying so much, you're going to lose your head if ya don't." The last part was in jest, which Marie chuckled at, well, what was close to a chuckle, and Vander was glad to see it.

Suddenly there was a loud slam from the doorway. It had been violently slammed open by someone yelling, "Out of the way!" Almost everyone in the bar stood up to see what was happening, making it impossible for Marie to see anything, but Vander was already on it, jogging up to the scene, "What happened?" He asked.

"Those good-for-nothing enforcers! A group of them tried to start a fight with us over a petty dispute, and one of them attacked Enzo. Damn it... They're purposely trying to push our buttons!" Marie cocked a brow from her spot at the bar, almost sure she had heard that voice before, but didn't make a move, only observing from her seat.

The whole room had gone quiet, and the only sound in the place was the jukebox still playing in the background.

"Alright hold on, let me have a look." Vander kneeled down before the grunting man, his howl of pain echoing through the place when had removed Enzo's messy hand from his wound to assess the damage, "You'll need stitching..." Suddenly Vander had an idea and looked back at the bar, "Oi, Marie, grab me some alcohol and the kit will ya?" Marie immediately jumped down with her heart racing. It took her a moment but she found the items, but suddenly froze when she met eye to eye with Zaun's other most fearsome fight. A tall tank of a woman that was twice her size, and who was staring her down with the most piercing grey eyes she had ever seen in her life.

Sevika. Her head rang bouncing off the walls of her stunned body. She hadn't even realized she was standing just beside Vander with the supplies. It wasn't until Vander said her name that for her to shake her head and concentrate on what really mattered.

"Thank you." Vander gave the bottle to Enzo, and readied the kit, "Take a swig, it'll help." Marie jotted down something on paper and hunched closer to Vander. He only had to glance over to read what she wrote.

'No Aesthetics? '

"No...Well-, yes actually. I forgot I had one of these left." Looking through the kit Vander pulled something out that Marie was unfamiliar with. It was a small round bottle with a red elixir inside. With a pop of the cork, Vander quietly handed it to Enzo for him to drink, all the while finding a way to close up the gash, "Ugh, it's jagged. I'm going to need some help with this. Marie, will you do the honors?" Marie pointed to herself, wide eyed and mouthing Me?

"Yes, you. Now come on." She didn't need to be told again.

From there everything felt like it had fallen in slow motion, her concentration all on the person injured, "Hold this here, will ya?" Her elegant hands did as she was told, and did it with ease even with Vander's big hands in the way. His hands were just as talented, but she could tell why he was so good in hand to hand combat.

With both of them helping it made the procedure a lot easier. Definitely more for Enzo than anyone else, and Marie was relieved for it. Once Vander was half way through the stitching, she decided to ask if the man needed any water. At first he eyed her suspiciously before nodding his head and answering with a muttered 'yes'.

She was happy to oblige, coming and going as if she had never left. Just as Marie was about to let Vander handle the rest, Sevika suddenly spoke up with her arms crossed and obviously tense from what had happened.

"Can't it wait?" He asked hooking in one side of the skin to the other before pulling it together.

"Not really. The guy didn't hit any vital organs...and it's important." Her snip yet steady tone gave Vander all he needed to huff through his nostrils with a frown and give a quick nod all the same.

"Alright. Do you think you can help me finish this?" He looked at Marie this time, his eyes softer now as he asked this.

The woman felt more than nervous but capable of taking up the responsibility. It was almost instinct for her to want to help others, which is why she became a nurse in the first place.

When she took Vander's place a lot of people went back to what they had been previously doing, all while Vander and Sevika had gone to the bar still in Marie's line of vision but out of ear shot so no one could hear them.

Marie tried hard to concentrate on the needle and thread in front of her, but she couldn't help take a glance back to notice the way Sevika sat her back against the bar and nudged her head towards Marie, more than likely asking who she was.

It was then Marie turned back to stitching up the man, Enzo.

She moved with steady hands, artistically taking care of the wound until she cut the line and used a small tool to tie it off. She discovered some iodine and softly applied it across his stitching before finally patching it up to cover it and gave a thumbs up when she was finished, "Thanks. Looks better than Vander's work." He laughed getting Marie to roll her eyes and waved her hand in modesty trying not to blush at the compliment.

Once she was done she turned to see both Vander and Sevika still speaking to one another, but obviously it wasn't looking good. He seemed as though he was trying to convince her of something but Sevika wasn't having it. She was tapping her index finger on the bar table rapidly before she snapped under her breath, teeth gritting together as she pulled back and looked back to see Marie approaching to return the medical kit.

It was then everything went silent, and a very awkward one before Sevika took the drink Vander had poured her and muttered under her breath to him, "Just do something about it. Everyone's getting tired of waiting...and so am I." Just then Sevika looked down at Marie who flinched when their eyes met, "Thanks, for helping my friend out. Vander tells me good things about you." Marie bowed her head but Sevika wasn't done, "Don't get me wrong, word is you might've fallen from Piltover, and I'm what you call a skeptic, so I'm keeping my eye on you. You got me?" Marie's complexion immediately paled in horror, putting her hands up in defense while nodding in understanding, but also attempting to word, Not Me!

"Not you, eh? We'll see." She sounded optimistic about it, and with a few long gulps of her drink, she placed the glass on the table and began to shift out of the stool, "Thanks for the drink." She said Vander.

Marie couldn't tell whether she was dizzy from the adrenaline or what but regardless of how, she was definitely intimidated by Sevika, and surprisingly turned on at the same time. Was that weird? It felt weird, weird and confusing, but now Marie had the 'Brute of Zaun' on her back.

She wasn't sure if she should be flattered or shitting herself, but instead of doing any of those she sat down and rubbed her face, "Don't worry, I know you're not from Piltover, we already established that, but for some? They're just a bit on edge, you know? We've been on the brink of war again, and the Undercity really wants to fight, but...obviously my views are a bit different. I mean-, I've wanted to fight. This is my home after all, but I just...I'm-," Suddenly he paused and gazed at Marie shamefully, "Heh, sorry, I shouldn't be telling you all this."

Her eyes saddened at the sound of his hesitance and his apology, and yet, she understood it.

He had a family now and considering how he accumulated his little tribe it was apparent he knew what a war could cause, what it could mean for the kids and their futures. He didn't want to put on the gauntlets again, unless it was absolutely necessary. He also had a whole city looking up to him, he was respected by most of everyone here, including Sevika and even by the person who felt the most betrayed by him. But he eventually says it himself, He isn't that man anymore.

She wanted to tell him if he didn't fight though it would end in disaster. That it'll be a second too late to change. That the people he cared about the most would fall into a war anyways. That what he will try to avoid will be to no avail if he doesn't act now, and yet, seeing him balling his fist on the table beside her, she couldn't help but slowly put her hand over it to get Vander to look over at her through a pair of conflicted eyes.

She saw them to be tired and earnest but also very handsome all at once. She didn't mean for it to happen, but she felt a flutter in her stomach, a tickle of joy that made her lips spread into a smile.

He shifted his gaze between her soft hands and his callous ones and instantly softened all expression and gave a sideways smile before hesitantly taking his other hand to cover her knuckles. "Sevika has a hard exterior, but her heart is in the right place. She has always been dedicated to the cause. I just wish she could understand why I'm thinking the way I am. We can't just go in guns blazing. It'll be a disaster...But I do know why she feels the way she does. Her anger is not invalid, and something does need to be done, I just-, don't know exactly what."

Hearing this made Marie grimace, because she knew what was coming. Deep down her heart was screaming at her to tell him the truth. To tell him what to expect, but she was afraid. Afraid of his reaction, of how others will react, and yet she couldn't just stand by and watch everything unfold bit by bit. What am I going to do? She thought anxiously, trying not to let her emotions persuade her. She didn't want to do something reckless. She then thought about Powder, and Vi, Milo and Claggor, and it felt as though it was becoming harder and harder to stay quiet about this. But...Like he said, a couple days. That's when she'd tell him, maybe try to give him at least a heads up.

It was decided then. She hadn't realized how long she had been holding his hand for and out of embarrassment she pulled away, and tried to change the subject by pointing at the mechanic arm just hovering near his head, "Oh, this? Fixed it up around the time I opened this bar. It can get pretty busy here, so this little beauty comes in very handy. Here, I'll show you."

Marie looked on in wonder as he pressed a button and the arm began to shake up and grab an empty tankard. It poured and slid the drink down to Marie who silently giggled when she caught it in her hand, and then drank it down until it was nearly half full, "And there you go!"

"Mama!" Marie looked behind her when she heard the shuffling of little feet, seeing Lia barreling in for a tight hug to which her mother took her in her arms just as tight and kissed the top of her head with a brightened smile., My little one. The embrace ended when Marie brushed some of the little girl's hair down, noticing that it had been braided and gave a small gasp of surprise when she saw it. She then pointed to her head and gave a sign of approval, a sign that said It's beautiful.

"Pow pow!" Her cute tiny voice squeaks, melting her heart as Marie signed, It's really nice! to Powder, who could only put her hands behind her back and smile bashfully, "Thanks."

"Powder's got a new little friend now." Milo said smirking with his arms crossed, "She follows her everywhere she goes." Marie couldn't help but give her five year old a look, although Lia was too busy trying to reach for her cup. She moved it from sight and sat Lia on the seat next to her, "I-I don't mind actually. She really likes me, and I like her too! We both seem to have a thing for gadgets! She really likes this one." Marie looked in Lia's hands to see her holding one of Powder's tiny animal gadgets, one that resembled a rabbit.

Hearing this did relieve Marie, because knowing Powder could have a friend could be great for both her and Lia in the long run. If, and only if I talk to Vander. He's the only one I trust at the moment. The kids all began to talk one right after the other, Marie enjoying their banters and talking of lunch at Jericho's. Marie had made a face thinking of the live food she had remembered seeing the kids eat once before, but she didn't tell them that.

In the midst of everyone chatting, joking and laughing Vander had been admiring them all from his spot behind the bar. Secretly, mostly at Marie with the way she interacted with everyone including her own child. So far he'd seen nothing but love, care, and understanding, gentleness and a good head on her shoulders. If he hadn't known any better he had already begun to grow fond of the girl and her tike, all while knowing it had only been no more than a day. Too soon Vander old boy, too soon. He told himself, smiling as he stuck his hand in his back pocket...only to cock a brow when he felt a small folded piece of paper stuffed inside.

Odd, he didn't remember placing anything in there.

Curiously he opened it, and read the contents inside. His eyes scanned over every word and the more he read the more his eyes widened and his expression changed from peculiar to shock and confusion.

It was in Marie's handwriting and it read: Please don't be mad, but I already know about Grayson. I beg you not tell her about me just yet, and don't worry, your secret is safe with me.

He hadn't even mentioned a word of Grayson, and this woman already knew she was his contact with Piltover? What else did this girl know?

If he had stared any longer he might've burned a hole into the back of her head, but just as she turned around to meet his gaze, he instantly smiled with a wave, not able to confront her on the matter just yet, or brush off the feeling that this girl was more than what she appeared.

At the abandoned fishery, something lurked inside. Weapons were being made by blacksmiths smelting and smithing with hot red fires, while shimmer was moved from one side of the warehouse to the other. Down below even further where pickled jars and tubes of science experiments glowed in the dark there was Singed, and there was Silco.

Silco was walking about as if he was on the prowl for something. He sat down at his desk, silent and peaceful on the outside, but his mind was racing, plotting and scheming as he prepared his syringe.

He had not only heard of the new rumor rolling through Zaun, but saw it with his own eyes as whatever it was fell to the sunken city.

Yesterday, while smoking outside the facility trying to take a break from strategizing and writing letters to the chem barons, Silco had heard a boom from above and saw a bright sparkling glimmer fall from the cloud covered skies. It was a beautiful mystical light that captivated him and peaked his curiosity.

He had some of his men he'd hired to find this mysterious light, come only to find out that it was said a woman had been taken into The Last Drop after she had fallen from high heights. From the sky? From Piltover? He needed to be sure, but he had a feeling that the Piltover story was untrue, not from where he witnessed the light fall. There was only one way to find out and that was to have someone confirm his suspicions.

It was yesterday when he called Deckard to look into it, and today was indeed different.

Silco flicked the metal of his syringe with his fingers, letting the ping of it create a slow and rhythmic tune in his ears.

As he readied himself and put the mechanism to his eye, he never even flinched when he heard the sound of the laboratory doors opening.

It was Deckard and his goony friends being led in by Silco's henchmen, the atmosphere thick with tension, "Well? What have you found out?" His raspy calm voice spoke like a snake slithering across the floor, and any next step could be there last.

Deckard unwittingly gulped, and cleared his throat, "Sh-she's there. The woman, I mean. She has a kid with her too. Vander's been letting her stay at the bar. She also helped out one of the patrons, so she doesn't seem dangerous from the looks of it."

"So, Vander's playing the hero, eh?" He contemplated this new information he'd gathered all while injecting the shimmer directly into his pupil, and then wiped the reminisce from his cheek, "What else?"

"Well, we also found this." Deckard slowly pulled out a flat screened device, and handed it to one of Silco's other henchmen who then handed it off to him. He looked it over with a hum, and tilted his head when the screen turned on its own showing a picture of a pretty dark haired woman kissing the cheek of a toddler who was giggling in the picture. "That's it so far. We haven't gotten anything else. Should I..."

"I don't want you to do anything. For now, just keep an eye on them." That was all that needed to be said, and Deckard nodded before leaving with his gang, "Make sure they get some food before they go. I don't want them working on an empty stomach." Everyone dispersed soon after and left Silco to spectate out the large glass window from his seat, admiring a monstrous tentacle creature that was reaching all around itself under the deep dark waters of the ominous river that separated Zaun from Piltover.

He then stood up from his chair and walked towards the thick glass, welcoming the muffled tones of the water that began a musical number only he could hear, all the while watching as a million bubbles elevated all around him and as far as the surface above him. As much as this was a beautiful sight to behold, Silco couldn't help but be drawn to the device in his hand, "Curiouser and curiouser."

I've really been vibing with this story, regardless of how cliche it is, and I hope you guys are as well. I know nothing has really happened but we're getting there. I haven't decided if I wanted to make a slow burn or not, but I guess we'll see! Until the next one, bye bye!