SCARS

Unexpected Arrival

As Vi pushed open the creaky door to the Last Drop, the familiar scent of stale ale and cigarette smoke greeted her. Her boots clunking against the metal floor as she made her way inside.

Her eyes scanned the room, searching for any familiar faces amidst the usual crowd. Powder was hunched over a game of cards with Mylo, her shock of blue hair standing out in the dim light. Claggor, ever the watchful one, leaned against the bar, engaged in conversation with Vander.

It was the serious tone of Vander's voice that drew Vi's attention. She approached the bar quietly, her curiosity piqued as she caught snippets of their conversation.

"...she was scared half to death, I tell ya," Vander was saying, his voice serious.

"Are you gonna send her back then?" Claggor asked, "...can't imagine how she's gonna survive down here,"

Vi leaned in closer, her curiosity getting the better of her. What the fuck were they talking about?

Vander sighed heavily, his gaze distant as he contemplated Claggor's question. "I can't just send her back," he said finally, his voice tinged with dejection.

"Send who back?" Vi finally interjected from behind the bar wall, causing Vander and Claggor to look up in surprise. Vi always had been good at lurking around unnoticed.

"Vi," Vander nodded in acknowledgment, motioning for her to take a seat.

But Vi shook her head, declining the offer with a stubborn set to her jaw. "I'm fine," she insisted, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What were you two just talking about?"

Vander exchanged a glance with Claggor before turning back to Vi, his expression grave. He knew Vi well enough to anticipate her reaction to his news.

"I've found someone who needs our help," Vander began carefully, his voice carrying the weight of the situation. "Just as you and Powder did."

Vi's eyes narrowed, a sense of apprehension creeping over her. "What do you mean you found someone?"

Vander nodded, his gaze steady. "I was picking up an ale shipment down in the alleyway," he explained, motioning to the right of the building. "And I heard something... A girl, she was crying. Lost, scared, with nowhere to go. So I brought her here."

Vi felt a surge of confusion. Why were they acting like this was such a momentous revelation? Finding a distressed kid in the streets of Zaun was practically routine for her. Childhood wasn't exactly a luxury in these parts.

"She's in the back right now sleeping," Vander continued, "Sleeping in her room."

Vi's jaw nearly dropped. "Her room?"

"Yeah," Claggor answered, "She'll share a room with powder"

"Great so now I have two little girls to look after?" Vi began,

"She's not a little girl," Vander explained, " She's just about your age, Vi. It'll be good for you,"

Vi considered Vander's words, a flicker of interest sparking in her mind. But beneath the surface, she sensed there was more to this than they were letting on.

"What's her story?"  Vi pressed, her curiosity piqued.

Vander took a deep breath, steeling himself before speaking. "She's from Piltover—"

Vi's eyes widened at Vander's revelation. "Piltover?!" she interjected, her tone laced with incredulity. "You brought someone from Piltover here?"

Vander nodded solemnly, his gaze unwavering. "Yes, Vi. She needed our help."

Vi's mind raced with a mixture of disbelief and apprehension. Piltover was a world away from the gritty streets of Zaun, a place of privilege and prestige. The thought of taking in someone from such a different background disgusted her. Especially after her past. After what they took from her.

"Why?" Vi demanded, her voice tinged with frustration. "Why would we take in someone from Piltover? We don't owe them anything."

Vander's expression softened, his eyes filled with empathy. "She's just a kid who's lost everything, Vi," he explained gently. "She's scared and alone, and she needs our help."

Vi bristled at Vander's words, her skepticism fueling her resistance. "And what makes you so sure she won't turn out to be just as bad as the rest of those Pilties? She isn't one of us." she retorted, her tone sharp.

Vander sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Vi, you don't have a choice. I'm taking her in and that's it."

Vi scoffed, making a big scene of walking out of the bar entirely. Stomping her feet loudly and shoving any poor figure that seemed to be in her way.

"She'll get used to it," Claggor reassured.