Lux was frazzled. It had been almost two weeks since that night where she decided she wanted to get to know the mystery that was Jinx. Despite that she'd come to closer to actually interacting with the girl and not for a lack of opportunity. She saw her literally every day in class while sitting no more then 5 feet behind but something kept her from actually approaching. To Lux's shame at this point she would need two hands to be able to count how many times the pink eyed girl had caught her staring and not once had she found the nerve to actually speak.
She'd imagined the conversation plenty in her head. Ran over countless different scenarios in which it could go and what she should say, but no matter how much she prepared she could never actually go through with the act and it was driving her insane. All Lux wanted to do was to kick back and forget about everything for a little bit. In a perfect world perhaps she'd curl up with a nice book and hot tea or soak in a candle lit bath but noooooo.
Instead her entire dorm complex sounded like the middle of a battlefield. It was end of semester testing for all classes, which usually meant dead silence as everyone tried to focus and cram in all the studying they could. In the music dorms however it was like every single room was competing with each other for who had the loudest speaker and who could break the sound barrier first. She simply couldn't take the incessant noise anymore or her head might just explode.
Except there was no where to go, the campus library was undoubtedly packed and just as hectic of a atmosphere and the coffee shop was already closed by now. There was however this antique shop that she'd been meaning to visit since Sera had mentioned it to her at the beginning of the term. It was on the edge of Zaun territory and would be the farthest she'd have ever ventured from school grounds, but given the scene around her that might be for the best.
Committing herself to the idea Lux grabs her keys making her way outside with a yell to Sera that she'll be back soon, doubtful the bubbly pinkette heard her over the blasting of what to Lux sounded like indecipherable notes but the intention was there. Getting to the parking lot she couldn't help but smile at the sight before her.
Now Lux didn't think herself a vain or particularly prideful women... However that being said she was most definitely proud of her car and showed it off whenever she got the opportunity. A gift from her brother Garen for graduating high school it was her pride and joy. Sleek design with sparkling white paint that she took to a car-wash every other week and silky smooth handling it was all a girl could ask for.
Plugging her phone into the Bluetooth and pulling up the address Lux turns the ignition and with dull roar she's on her way. Taking in the environment around her its hard not to be shocked by the sheer disparity. It's not even anything gradual either one street it gilded and organized in the easily recognizable Piltovian architecture and then she takes a right down an alley and the difference is light and day.
Lux is shaken from her observations as the GPS loudly announces that she's made it to her destination. Parking in the large lot across from the storefront she starts to walk over to the building proudly marked "Benzo's Antiques and Oddities".
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All in all she'd say that this was most definitely worth the venture she'd made. Benzo, the owner bearing the same name as the shop had simply been a delight. A boisterous yet not overbearing man he'd made her feel right at home and helped her find exactly what she had been looking for.
As much as she wanted to move on and distance herself from her privileged past she really did miss having a desk for her room. Lucky for her Benzo had exactly that, guiding her right to a large wooden desk that was perfect for next to her bed. A check and promise of delivery to her dorm in the next few days later Lux was heading back to her car feeling pleased and plenty productive, though just as she was to the door Benzo shouted out after her. "Best to get on out of here quickly lass. It's getting dark and Zaun isn't exactly friendly to strangers even this far on the outskirts of her.""
Looking up at the quickly dipping sun in the horizon Lux upped her pace walking back to her car and contemplated what to do next. She really did not want to go back to her dorm and the ensuing chaos but she really didn't have any other option. The gym she went to would be nearly closed by the time she could get there so there would be no point in wasting the gas.
Maybe she could go get fast food? Lux tried to avoid the unhealthy foods but this one time surely wouldn't hurt, So with a destination in mind she once again turned the ignition only for her stomach to drop to her feet as a loud banging sound rang out and smoke filled the view in-front of her windshield.
Getting out she went to the front of the car and popped the hood. After a minute of letting the smoke clear and with rising panic she tried to make heads and tails of what she was looking at. Lux was many things but a mechanic was not one of them and she frankly had to clue where to even start looking. Looking up to the rapidly darkening sky she flinched when bright light illuminated it followed by a loud boom of thunder. She vaguely recognized the sound of a car pulling up and parking behind her accompanied by the sound of a door opening and closing but gave it no mind, much to caught up in her quietly growing panic at potentially being stranded in Zaun of all places in the middle of a thunderstorm.
She could feel a panic attack bubbling to the surface when suddenly a voice called out from behind her. "You need some help there?" Spinning around she see's the same girl she's been trying to approach for weeks. Standing there twin electric blue braids billowing in the wind with a cocky smirk and hands on hips is Jinx. Lux would like to say she's admiring the braid job or something of the like, instead something else is demanding her attention as she looks Jinx.
She has abs. Very defined abs infact... As her brain does it's best impression of a rebooting computer Jinx talks again. "Heya Blondie, my eyes are up here but given the alternate view I cant say I blame you so you get a pass this time."
Lux's eyes rip upwards only to be greeted by the pink orbs that had been on her mind so much lately as she tries to formulate an apology. "I'm so sorry! It's just um I've only ever seen you in baggy clothes even in the gym you wear a big shirt."
Jinx's smirk breaks out into a wide grin and Lux instantly knew she had messed up. "Oh so your saying you watch me enough at the gym to know my usual outfit hmmm?" The blush she was undoubtedly sporting most likely got an even brighter shade of red because Jinx took pity on her and moved on without her answer.
"Aww don't worry Blondie I'm just teasing ya I don't mind... Infact feel free." She punctuated it with a exaggerated wiggle of her eyebrows before starting again without even taking a breath. "Sooooo anyway judging from the general lost baby deer look you got going on and the smoke coming from your car I'd say your a teensy bit fucked right now but it's your lucky day cause I'm a whiz with cars so I'll take a look for ya."
Jinx didn't wait for a response simply walking up and leaning over her cars engine and beginning her inspection. With the overpowering force that is Jinx's personality momentarily quite Lux tried to collect her thoughts. Her first act was ignoring the odd feeling that being called a baby deer gave her and second and more importantly. Totally not staring at Jinx's abs as she bent over the hood of her car.
She most definitely didn't notice the thin sheen of sweat that gave it a slight glisten nor did she try to sear the sight into her eyeballs so she could think back to it at will. No Lux would never do that because she was a proper and respectful young woman thank you very much. Forcing her mind back on track she breaks down the last couple of minutes in her mind realizing this is the first time shes ever actually talked to the blue haired girl.
What strikes her is just how this just feels like Jinx. The personality that demands you pay attention to it, the teasing yet relaxed energy, how she dominates a conversation without being overbearing and Lux is hit with the same feeling that's been following her for the last week.
I want to get to know this girl.
Pulling back up in a fluid motion Jinx picks up right where she left off, "Alright i'll keep it simple cause no offense you wont know the terms so. Something in your engine snapped so your basically dead in the water till its fixed which does suck for you... except I gotta buddy who works a body shop near by and owes be a favor so I can get you a tow out of here."
Lux doesn't know what to say. Profusely say thank you for the massive favor? Politely decline because she cant possibly ask such a big thing from technically a stranger? She doesn't even get the chance to consider either Jinx spouts off again.
"Annnd because your car's clearly out of commission I'll volunteer my excellent chauffeur services. Can't leave a pretty little birdy like you alone in big bad Zaun after all now can we?"
Ignoring the tingle that went up her spine from Jinx's... flirtations? teasing? or maybe this is just how she interacted with others Lux wasn't quite sure, she finally responds. "I cant possibly accept all this for free, I can catch a cab and pay for my own tow there's no need to ge-." she's interrupted by a scoff from the smaller girl.
"Pshhh who said anything about free Blondie? What do I look like a charity or something? You were the valor dictatorship in high school or whatever its called so that means your super smart or something right?" at Lux's slightly hesitant nod she continued . "Exactly! Soooo I may or may not suck at math, so the deals simple. You help me pass my math class this semester and i'll fix your car for ya!" She caps off her little speech with a wide grin and tiny bow that was frankly adorable if not slightly out of place on such a manic girl.
Thunder boomed in the sky above followed by an illumination of the light sky and that was the only warning they got before the heavens opened up and let forth a down pour. Jinx wastes no time quickly grabbing her by her forearm and ushering her into the passenger seat and Lux finds herself simply going along with it.
A turn of a key brings the car to live with a dull hum accompanied by the vibrations of what she thinks is punk music as Jinx swiftly pulls out of the parking lot. A cursory look around the interior of the car and she cant quite shake the feeling that it just doesn't fit Jinx. (Aside from the blaring music that is)
The steering wheel has a cover filled with depictions of cupcakes, there's covers on the seats with rifles and boxing gloves covering every inch, and not to mention suspiciously organized not the clutter she had come to expect. Looking out the window she watches as the buildings around her become more and more decrepit the further they go.
Graffiti adorns almost every surface and she seriously doubts the structural integrity of many of the buildings. The thing that stands out the most however is the rapidly approaching bridge that looks over the skyline, the bridge that marks the true crossing into the beast that was Zaun.
Lux's musing is interrupted by Jinx suddenly pulling over and turning the music dial all the way down.
"So I just realized I kinda kidnapped you ummm, where's your dorm I can take you back I kinda just started driving and didn't think about it so like umm promise I'm totally not trafficking you for your organs.. even if they would net me a pretty penny annnnd I'm rambling you talk now."
The thought of going back to her warzone of a dormitory nearly sends a shiver down her spine and if shes being honest with herself she doesn't want this to end. Sensing her opportunity and not willing to pass up on she says. "Maybe I want you to kidnap me, ever think of that? Lead the way Ms abductor where are we heading to?" Followed up with what she hopes is a reassuring smile.
Jinx perks up and with a grin that tells her that what she said wasn't to weird. "Well in that case prepare to be sequestered into the depth of big bad Zaun and brought to my super secret evil lair." All capped off with the most stereotypical evil cackle she's ever heard.
Just like that the cars back in motion and the next thing she knows she's diligently following behind Jinx as they walk up the seemingly infinite stairwells to her apartment. Finally making it to the top she can instantly tell which door leads to Jinx's because its covered in illustrations of the night sky top to bottom.
With a jingling of keys and a flourish of vibrant braids Jinx opens the door before hopping over the threshold and gesturing behind her. "Behold casa de la Jinx, abandon all hope ye who enter her because I'm totally going to make you watch shitty slasher movies all night. Make yourself at home I gotta shower anyway you caught me on the way home from the gym."
In any other circumstance Lux might have questioned why someone would let a stranger rifle around their home while they're defenseless in the shower but she's to struck by the sight before her to pursue that line of thought. Almost every surface of the interior is covered in an assortment of posters, pictures and any part of bare wall is adorned with hand painted murals on the wall itself.
Then she looks up and her breath is taken away. The entire ceiling has been painted pitch black, constellations litter the roof like a canvas and Lux can't help but be captivated. The sound of a shower sputtering to life as Lux makes her way to the couch situated in the corner of the living room.
Sitting down and laying her head back she stairs at the ceiling with the calming sounds of cascading water soothing in the background she feels the weight of the day finally hit her. Lux doesn't even notice as her eyes slowly close and she drifts off into the realm of dreams with a smile on her face and flashes of blue and pink behind her eyes.