Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

After her sister had abandoned her, Powder had just stayed frozen in place, crying and begging for forgiveness until the enforcers finally descended into the bowels of the undercity.

She hadn’t even noticed their approach until one of the monsters was putting a hand on her shoulder.

“Where’s your family?” came the raspy voice of the uniformed monster in front of her, and the question had her crying again, “Dead. They’re all dead, and my sister left without me.”

She cried harder when the monster picked her up and gave her what must have been a hug. One arm supporting her weightwhile another held her close as she sobbed.

“It’s okay. We’ll take you back with us and find some nice people for you to live with. What’s your name?”

Her mind flashed to Vi and her angry exclamations, “Jinx.” She sniffled, “My name is Jinx.” She didn’t deserve the name powder. Let that girl die with the rest of her family.

--

“Jinx!”

She groaned at the annoyed tone coming from downstairs and left her room to look down over the balcony at the woman in question who was staring up at her and tapping her foot impatiently.

“yes mother?” She said tiredly, her own fault for spending most of the night experimenting.

The woman frowned, “Why aren’t you dressed?”

Jinx looked down at the apron she had on over her blouse and pants.

“Honestly Jinx. I told you to be ready. We never have this trouble with your sister.”

Jinx shrank back at the criticism, it was always about Caitlyn, ‘look at Caitlyn’, ‘be more like your sister.’, ‘your sister is excelling, why are you so far behind.’

Jinx grit her teeth. “I already told you that I didn’t want to go Mother, Surely you remember how bad it was the last time.”

She’d blown up in the middle of an event, screaming at some old man who’d told her she should be thankful that the Kiramman’s had taken in undercity rubbish like her.

She’d much rather stay in her room tinkering for the night.

The councilwoman’s brow furrowed, “Yes. You did cause a horrendous scene.” She agreed, “but we’ve paid for private tutors so that you don’t repeat it. Besides people will expect to see you.”

Jinx closed her eyes as Mylo started needling her. ‘they just want to show off how kind they are to take in undercity scum like us.’, ‘ you really think they took in the poor orphan girl who killed her own family for no reason? It’s no wonder they always compare you to their real daughter, its not like you’d ever be worth anything to them past making them look generous.’

Jinx clenched her fist, nails biting into her palm and grit her teeth as she tried to push the voices back. She wasn’t allowed to let their effects show. Doing that meant weeks in a care facility having people needling her for answers on what was happening in her head.

The last time had only made it all so much worse. So she’d learned fast how to mask normality for these people. Having to deal with her mental health was apparently the straw that breaks the generous Pilty backs.

“You aren’t going to get changed.”

The firm voice pulled her back and she opened her eyes to see the annoyed gaze of her adopted mother.

She sighed in resignation and nodded, “I will go now mother.” She said begrudgingly, turning on her heel and fleeing for her rooms.

She closed the doors behind her and leant against them as she glared at the shadowy form of Mylo lounging about on her bed, ‘dress up pretty Jinx. That’s all they keep you for. Something to show off.’

“shut up!” she hissed, hitting her head back against the door once harshly. But his laughter didn’t stop. “Shut. Up.” She whimpered, as his laughs got louder.

She closed her eyes tightly to try and stem the tears, only for them to spring open a moment later when a knock on the door sounded.

“jinx?”

She wasn’t sure if she wanted to scream or cry right now. So instead she shifted her weight onto one door and begrudgingly opened the other before sliding down to the floor as the perfect daughter entered.

“Jinx?” she asked. Stepping in and closing the door behind her before dropping to sit beside her, pulling jinx into a casual hug. Knowing that if she made a big deal about it, that Jinx would pull away immediately.

“I guess mother’s being demanding again.” she offered half-heartedly, even though they both knew that was only the tip of her problems. “I heard her downstairs, thought maybe I could help you get ready when you want to.” Caitlyn offers gently, looking around the room and chuckling. “You’ve been tinkering again huh.”

Jinx sniffled, and nodded. “Like you can talk mapmaker. The undercity isn’t even part of Piltover anymore, you should get a new hobby.”

Caitlyn chuckled and shrugged.

Jinx always felt torn with Caitlyn. She already had a sister. One that had been amazing until she wasn’t. Part of her was just waiting for Caitlyn to do the same as Vi and treat her like the Jinx she was. Walk away and free herself of the younger sister with the anxiety, anger issues and the audible and visual hallucinations.

The older girl certainly had enough on her plate without Jinx’s drama. The only thing worse than being the imperfect child was being the perfect one. It might have been hard for her to match Caitlyn, but even she had admitted to feeling like she’d fallen short of expectations.

The main difference between them was that Caitlyn was secure enough in her standing in this family to rebel. Becoming an Enforcer, much to Jinx’s disgust.

Jinx on the other hand, she had nowhere to go, and she wasn’t crazy enough to actually think she meant anything to anyone here in Piltover. Mostly because she never let anyone close enough.

Well… maybe Caitlyn and Jayce, if it was a good day and she hadn’t exploded Jayce’s lab recently. An unfortunate habit, but he’d learned not to keep anything important out when she visited.

“Do I have to go?” Jinx whined, “we both no that no one really wants me there. I feel it in their stares. They crawl on my skin like ants ready to cover me in bites.”

Caitlyn hummed, “How about we go, then sneak out to the balcony the first opportunity we can?”

Jinx sighed, resigned to an uncomfortable evening in an uncomfortable dress, her feet in uncomfortable heels and surrounded by uncomfortable conversations and even worse company.

“Oh, I got you that nice dress for your birthday.” Caitlyn offered, releasing Jinx from the one armed hug to stand and approach the wardrobe. “remember? That pink one?”

“I dyed it black.” Jinx countered with a sigh, getting up and casting a glance to the now empty bed. Mylo was gone for now.

“really jinx?” Caitlyn asked exasperated, “the pink would have looked so nice on you.”

Jinx grimaced, “not that pink.” she wouldn’t wear that pink, it reminded her too much of Vi. She’d be wearing a reminder that would trigger her every second she’d glimpse the colour.

Caitlyn blinked, then realisation dawned, “oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t think of that.”

Jinx shrugged, “It’s fine. It looks better in black anyway.”

“go change, then I’ll do you hair.” She handed the dress over to Jinx with a smile, “Up or down?”

“Whatever.” Jinx said, disappearing.

The dress was nice. Not obnoxiously so, like her fake mother would have forced her into. But nice enough for events, but simple enough that no one there would look at her twice. She didn’t want pilty attention and if she could get through the night without being approached, antagonised, chastised, or patronised then she would mark the evening as a barely bearable success.

Once she’s put on the dress, not bothering to struggle with the clasp that fastens at the back, she made her way to Caitlyn who was waiting by the vanity desk with an exasperated smile.

“let me help.” She offered, gesturing for the zip.

Jinx pulls her braids over her shoulder so they didn’t get in the way.

“You were right.” Caitlyn said, smiling at her, “it is nicer in black.”

Jinx nodded, it was probably more revealing than the councilwoman would like. Mostly backless besides a couple of chain fastenings, and a high slit in one side. It wouldn’t be out of place, especially if Mel was coming tonight too. But compared to the dresses provided it was much more ‘grown up’ than usual.

She grinned, “Mother’s going to disapprove of this.”

Caitlyn smiled at her also, “So? you aren’t a child anymore Jinx, you should be able to wear what you want.” She paused for a moment and grinned, “and gain the attention of who you want.”

Jinx bit her lip and sat in front of the mirror while Caitlyn began to unravel her braids. Caitlyn had been hinting at her and Viktor for almost a year now.

“I’m sure Jayce will be bringing him tonight also.” Caitlyn prompted and Jinx rolled her eyes.

“Don’t project your wants on me. Just hurry up and marry your own nerd. Viktor is my friend because he’s the only other undercity resident in this horrible place, and we can talk science besides, he’s married to his work.” Jinx chuckled, remembering something she’d been told, “I heard from Jayce that he found Viktor asleep in the lab every morning last week.”

“Maybe that could change if you gave him a reason to?” Caitlyn tried weakly.

Jinx shook her head, the strands moving between caitlyn’s fingers now that her braid was completely unravelled. “please, Viktor’s more of a brother to me. Not like I care really.”

“You should cut this soon, you’ll be tripping over it if you let it grow much longer.” Caitlyn said, piling her hair up and securing it with pins and accessories.  

Jinx made a noncommittal sound, both of them knew that she wouldn’t cut it.

“Anyway, all done. And just in time, it seems.” Caitlyn said as their names echoed through the house. “it looks like we’re leaving shortly.”

Jinx shrank a little. “Yippee~” She offered sarcastically. “You’ll stay with me, right?” She might not be able to define what she felt for Caitlyn, but her company was always more preferable to any of the other Piltys, except maybe Jayce, but that was just ‘cause he helped her with her tinkering.

“of course.”

--

The event was as miserable as always, horribly boring, with people all sucking up and trying to make connections for probably shady business. and like usual, Caitlyn had been forcefully removed from her side, pulled away by their mother and shown off as the Kiramman pride and joy. That was probably why Jinx could never fully trust Caitlyn. She made promises, but she was too willing to sweep them aside to please other people and their expectations, even if it was begrudgingly. True, the older girl could talk her out of her own head, but that ability was no good if she wasn’t there when Jinx needed her.

So Jinx stood in a corner trying to pretend that no one else here existed, projecting disinterest as best she could so that people would leave her alone with her stolen glass of expensive wine.

Unfortunately, it seems she wasn’t projecting hard enough because men kept coming to pester her. waffling on about their family’s money and their measly life accomplishments while she stood mutely, giving a false smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Eventually they would get the message and leave, often with an insult towards her combined with pity for the Kiramman’s who have to care for her.

She just clenched her jaw. Smile not slipping until they turned their back and then finally she’d bare her teeth in disgust.

“You look like you’re having fun, Tinker.”

Jinx scowled, “Wow, who would have thought, that with your ‘vision of the future’, you’re actually blind.”

Jayce chuckled, “Roped into another event huh?”

“If I had it my way I’d be working on my gadgets.” She responded with a huff. “but no. Gotta show that the poor orphan is alive and housetrained.”

“You should give more credit.” Jayce said with a shrug, making Jinx’s hackles rise. “you’re alive, housetrained and educated.” He joked.

She scoffed at the poor attempt to make her feel better and bumped her shoulder into him. “I’ve been making things since I was in the lanes Jayce, they might not have worked right at first, but I would have learned without your boring classrooms.”

He sighed, it was a fight they always had, Jayce was firmly in favour of the academy and their strict classroom ideals, but Jinx had always felt being crammed into a small room with thirty other people, listening to old people drawl on and on about things she could read or figure out by herself tedious.

So instead he tried changing the subject, like he did whenever their conversations were heading into volatile territory.

“You look nice tonight.” He offered awkwardly.

She shrugged, “still prefer my overalls.”

“I’ll bet” he chuckled, then looked over as someone called his name. “Good luck with the rest of the evening Tinker.”

She rolled her eyes at the nickname he’d given her. “back at you.” She offered, “they look like they’re ready to claw at you for attention.”

He chuckled nervously and looked to the people watching them. “Yeah. The price you pay for success.” He offered weakly before starting to head into the waiting group of people.

“sucker.” She taunted quietly, watching his shoulders stiffen and grinning at the glare he sent back to her.

She spotted Viktor also hiding, and decided to hide together. Her friend was, predictably, standing in his corner with his nose in a book.

“A good read?” she asked, popping up beside him to glance at the words… well, numbers and equations mostly.

“What nerd brings work to a party?” she teased, stealing the book and flipping through several pages, giving the occasional ‘ooh’ when something caught her interest.

The rest of the night was spent with the most preferable company, the two of them talking shop, two poor undercity scientists engrossed in their own little world in a much bigger one they didn’t fit in.

--

The moment she was back home, in her own room she unclasped the clips on the back of her dress and let it fall to the floor abandoned as she stepped out of it and started pilling accessories and pins from her hair.

“Stupid events and stupid dresses and stupid pins. Why’s everything up here so stupid?”

She saw Mylo in the corner of her eye and glared, “don’t you say a word. I wasn’t asking you.”

Her anger seemed to amuse the shade, so she threw a pin at it. watching it flicker for a moment but stay in place.

She ran her fingers through the messy strands, pulling out the few remaining pins there before dropping onto her bed and staring up at its canopy. She used her last pin to throw it at the light switch by the door. The moment it hit, her room was filled with darkness, contrasted by glow in the dark paint. This was another of her hobbies that had to stay out of sight. Her graffiti was harsh and unrefined. But it expressed her far better than any of the techniques her pompous art teachers had tried to force her to use.

She stared up at the paint for a few more seconds before turning over and crawling under her covers and grabbing mouser from her bedside table. What had once been a weapon to spit nails was now just a relic. She’d fixed it. And she knew they’d work now… but what use did she have for them. She wasn’t in the lanes. Or Zaun, as it had been renamed by its new ruler.

They were just reminders of where she was from, and who she once was. Sometimes, with everyone here pushing and pulling and trying to squeeze her into some Pilty mould, she really needed the reminder.

Chapter Text

He’d spent years dedicating everything he could to create this nation of Zaun. It had cost lives, a shit tonne of money and a lot of his morals. And yet the council above still think they can send their people into the undercity with no repercussions.

Silco glared at the enforcers that had been thrown at his feet by Sevika.

They cowered in fear as he stood from his desk chair.

“I don’t know if you’re stupid, stubborn or merely oblivious.” He started, “But you have no jurisdiction here.”

He looks over to Sevika when he continues, “and I’ve been told that you were targeting Zaunites.”

He takes a knife from his desk and brandishes it lazily towards the men. “Now, I do believe that you should have been informed that permission and collaboration is expected if you’re trying to track down one of my people.”

“they stole something from Piltover.” One of them growled out and Silco sighed.

“I never said they were innocent. I said that you weren’t following rules.” He chastises, “and that means that your lot need a reminder on why you agreed to this separation in the first place.”

Their eyes widened in panic as he reached for their masks, removing and tossing them away.

He trailed his knife over one of their cheeks, and smiles, “so who would like to be the demonstration and who would like to give the bad news?”

--

“They left two enforcers at the bridge!” Hoskel shouted, “One dead the other dying, we can’t let the insult stand.”

Jayce frowned, rubbing his brow “What were they doing there?” he asked, looking over to the sheriff, “the treaty is very clear about co-operation on both our parts.”

“Thieves had been breaking and entering here in piltover. We wanted to deal with it discretely, we know that Silco is soft on Zaunite kids.

Mel leaned forward with a frown, “you broke a treaty for children?”

The sheriff froze and shrank back, “They stole some important things.”

“What?” Jayce demanded, slamming his fist on the desk, “what could have been so important that you would have broken our treaty for it?”

The enforcers in the room stayed quiet and Jayce sighed, “We need to find a solution to this. Silco will see this as a betrayal, a reason to void the treaty. We can’t go back to fighting with Zaun. It drains our resources, and we lose too many people in the skirmish.”

“we could give them something as reparations?” Salo offered, “show our sincerest apologies. Something that would show him we mean no ill will?”

Shoola nodded, “Silco has been fair in holding Zaun to their part of the treaty since it was put in place. It would be a shame if this peace with the undercity was shattered.”

Jayce nodded, “Great, everyone in favour of brokering a new treaty?” he asks, and each of them raise their hand, Hoskel rolling his eyes but obliging them by rising his own.

“Okay. So, what can we give that show’s our sincerity?” Jayce asked.

The room goes silent and they look to each other.

“We already have trade agreements.” Bolbok responded, tapping metal fingers against the table.

Hoskel scoffed, “if we make that any more advantageous to them then we’ll be giving things away.”

Mel leaned back in her chair for a moment, “What if it isn’t a material trade?” she starts cautiously.

All eyes turn to her. “Silco and his Chem-barons rule a city, we also rule a city.” She continued, “Perhaps we create a stronger alliance with Zaun than trade agreements.”

“Stronger alliance?” Salo asked, leaning forward in interest. “Without having to sacrifice through trade?”

Jayce looked at Mel uncertainly, she was hesitating to suggest this, which mean either she didn’t like the idea, or she knew that he wouldn’t.

“A political marriage.” She offered.

Everyone at the table seemed to freeze for a moment as the words echoed through the council chambers.

“You mean a political hostage.” Bolbok rebuted. “Give them someone to ransom if we step out of line.” 

Mel nodded.

“No.” Jayce said immediately. “we cant just give him a person.”

“Why not? If it’ll bring peace go pull some whore out of a brothel and throw her at his feet.” Hoskel grit out,

Mel glared at the man then shook her head, “they would have to be someone of influence. Or someone with ties to a person of influence.”

“No one from Piltover is going to volunteer to go live in the filth of Zaun.” Hoskel bit out. “Unless you’re volunteering.”

“What if they were already from Zaun.”

All eyed turned to the previously quiet councilwoman.

Jayce’s eyes widened immediately, “no.” he said firmly.

“You want a peaceful way to resolve this, I have two daughters, one who already knows what to expect from the undercity.” Cassandra said plainly, “She’s not as well-mannered as Caitlyn, but she has been taught by some of the finest tutors in Piltover. She will know to stay out of their way, and after everything Piltover has done for her, we will have her loyalty. And it will be a true show of trust to be given the daughter of a councillor will it not?”

Jayce had clenched his fist and shook his head as she spoke. “you can’t just do this to Jinx. Hasn’t she been through enough?”

Cassandra narrowed her eyes. “As a councillor you may be one of many to decide if we will be looking for peace with Zaun. Already this has been agreed on. But as Jinx’s mother, I get to make decisions about her future. If both of these coincide then good. And unless you have any other potential brides that fit the criteria, it would do well for you to accept my choice without involving your emotions.”

Jayce looked around to the other councillors, the only one who seemed conflicted on the idea was Mel, everyone else seemed indifferent or even eager to see the girl sacrificed for their cause.

“She’s right, Jayce, Jinx is the best option we have right now.” Mel said quietly,

He stood immediately, chair scraping on the floor as he did so.

“You’ll have to be the one to organise the new treaty.”

He slammed the doors closed behind him.

He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Not to Jinx. Not that bratty kid who hung around his lab, pestering him to help her with her gadgets, who’d left glitter bombs in his workshop which actually exploded on occasion. Not the teen who’d finally started accepting Caitlyn as a sister, even if it was only in little ways. Not the young woman he found lazing over Viktor in their lab more than once as the two of them puzzled out a complex issue with an experiment. Not the young woman he called a friend after years of trying to win her trust.

But he knew already. The others were right. There was no other option. It might stop them from going to war. But it was going to ruin everything.

Jinx most of all.

--

Jinx twisted in her chair, her braids swinging as she adjusted her goggles,

“Viktor!” she called, watching the man come past with two cups of coffee. “Come see!” she grinned wickedly, “I got a new thing to hit Jayce’s lab with.”

Viktor just handed her a cup and shook his head, “Must you? It took a week to clean it last time.”

She giggled. “it’s going to be epic. So come help me set it all up!” She skulled the entire cup of coffee and jumped up, rushing off like a tornado of laughter and blue hair, a few clangs of metal following her.

He just sighed and took a sip of his drink, shaking his head as he followed sedately behind.

The girl was a menace. But one that grew on you with proximity. And he’d been close for far too long.

--

Jinx returned home from Viktor and Jayce’s workshops one evening to find her mother in her room waiting for her. “You’re late. Put this on,” she said, gesturing to the dress hanging on her wardrobe door.

Jinx made a face at it, “It’s white.”

“Just put it on. Then we need to do your hair.”

Jinx blinked, her mother never did her hair.

“We don’t have all night child.” Cassandra chastised her.

She begrudgingly retrieved the dress and changed. This one wasn’t as fun as the one Caitlyn had gotten here, it was high necked, long sleeved and seemed more eager to trip her than her braids were.

She curled her lip at her reflection. It was white lace. Easily stained and torn, and just itchy to wear in general, and she was covered in it.

“I didn’t think there was an event tonight.” She offers the woman as she’d pulled in front of the vanity. “will Caitlyn be coming?”

The question somehow had her mother flinching, as she undid Jinx’s usual braids. “No. Caitlyn is working tonight.”

Jinx pouted, there went one of her potential allies. “Viktor?” she asked hopefully. If she was lucky the man would bring another book of notes they could ponder over.

“No.”

Jinx frowned, “Jayce.”

The woman sighed, “He will be there in an official role.”

Jinx sighed. So a boring night with no end in sight then.

She looked at her reflection and grimaced. Her mother had pulled her hair up into some severe formal upstyle, and jinx wanted nothing more than to mess it up.

‘Be a good doll for the Pilty and stay still’

Her eyes flickered over to Mylo as he taunted her from her window. She shut them immediately after. He wasn’t real. Nothing he said was real.

“There are a lot of expectations on you tonight Jinx.”

She opened her eyes to look at the woman she called mother.

“Huh?”

Cassandra huffed in frustration, “pardon, you mean. We’ve spent so much on your education Jinx. Please remember it before you cause an incident.”

Jinx blinked and looked at her hands to avoid the disappointed gaze of the woman who’d taken her in. “yes mother.”

“As I was saying, Tonight is very important, you must be on your absolute best behaviour.”

Jinx nodded.

‘don’t be a street rat, street rat.’ Mylo taunted her.

--

She took hesitant steps on the asphalt of the bridge. “Mother?” she asked confused, this wasn’t a party. And something in her gut was telling her that she was going to wish for the usuall inconveniences and tedium of high pilty society.

A though only solidified once she spotted the whole council standing on the bridge across from several Zaunites.

“Mother.” She stressed, stopping in her tracks. “what is this?” she asked, her voice high and strained.

“You’ll be returning to Zaun.” Cassandra answered. “With these people.”

Jinx took two steps back and shook her head, “no. no, please.. you can't do this. Don’t make me please. Please. I’ll be good. I wont complain about going to parties, I’ll stop skipping lesson and I’ll be nicer to Cait. Please. Please don’t send me away. I don’t want to be alone.” 

“Pull yourself together girl. You’re making a scene.”

Jinx felt two of the enforcers on the bridge step forward and grasp her upper arms. “no.” she whispered, “please. No.”

‘it was only a matter of time.’ Mylo taunted. ‘why would they keep a jinx around?’ ‘of course they want to throw you back where you came from.’ ‘they never cared for you anyway.’

“no.” she said again, “you’re wrong.”

“Jinx?” her mother questioned.

‘there you go, showing your crazy, they really wont want you now.’ 

She shut her eyes. “Please don’t send me away. Please. If you don’t want me in the house anymore I’ll sleep in Viktor’s lab.” She pleads. “you’ll never have to see me again. Just don’t make me marry a stranger.” She couldn’t do it. She couldn't lose even more of her independance, she didn't want to be trapped by a piece of paper and a man she didnt know.

“This isn’t about you child.” Cassandra said, “this is for the continued safety of Piltover.”

‘see~’ mylo laughed, ‘you mean nothing, you’re just a tool, they’re using you~’ 

Jinx jerked back then glared at the woman. “a tool. I’m a tool. That’s all I’ve ever been to you, huh.” She bared her teeth at the woman, feeling her self control slipping every second as Mylo continued goading her. “Look at the Kiramman’s taking in a poor kid with issues, how great they are. How lucky she is. How generous they are, educating that orphan. Look they brought the street rat to the party.” She snaps, slipping out of the enforcers grip. “ the girls crazy so lets put her in a cell and see what happens?, now she’s no use so we’ll get rid of her and claim it’s to help Piltover.”

She dodged out of the reach of the enforcers, dancing around her mother. “Well guess what mother. I’m not a Pilty. I’ve never been a pilty.” 

“Jinx…” The woman is scared now and she’d gained the attention of the other councillors.

“Jinx.”

She looks over to Jayce and clarity comes back for one moment, just enough for the tears to gather as she asks. “is she telling the truth?”

He stays silent and that’s all the answer she needs.

She snarls and steps forward. To stand in front of him. “Fuck Piltover, and fuck you Jayce Talis, I trusted you.”

He seems to crumble at the curse and the enforcers grab her once more, dragging her again towards the waiting Zaunites.

But Jinx wasn’t going to do this. She wasn’t a tool, she wasn’t going to be sacrificed on someone elses whim.

She broke free of her captors, planted her foot into the kneecap of one, grinning in satisfaction as he cried out and she felt it snap. Then she stole his net before letting him fall and cast it out to twist around the other enforcer before looking between both groups on the bridge. Pilties and Zaunies.

The extra enforcers had already started to approach so she made her choice, and started for the Zaunites. She didn’t care about who these people were that they’d come to collect her, but the fact that they had was enough to make her want to spite them too. So she ran, and jumped. Right off the bridge. Right into the polluted waters she’d swam in as a kid. She’d be fine if she got out and cleaned up fast enough. But she looked back up at the bridge and cackled at the crowd watching over the side. “Fuck YOU!” she screamed.

She didn’t know what she was going to do now. But she was free. For the first time ever. She gets to make her own choices. The pilties thought they could get away with abandoning her? They would think twice.

‘there’s the jinx.’ ‘Destroying everything she touches.’ ‘the loose cannon.’

--

Jayce walked solemnly in shock back to his workshop. He knew this wouldn’t end well. Now Silco was annoyed with them for wasting his time, and Jinx was probably ready to burn literal bridges over the betrayal.

He didn’t blame her. He’d spent years trying to get past the girl’s defences and this is what he lets happen? He’s a fucking council member. He should have found another way to deal with this. Jinx never should have been involved.

He pulled out the keys for his workshop. He wasn’t supposed to be back until tomorrow, but he wasn’t going to be able to sleep, so the workshop seemed like the logical haunt for the night.

He smiled as he spotted Viktor again asleep at his desk and started into the room, only to trip on a wire.

The explosions, confetti and general cacophony that ensued probably woke up half the neighbourhood, and Viktor had come crashing to the floor in shock also but as Jayce turned over and looked up at the ceiling none of it mattered, all of it faded into the background as he stared at Jinx’s signature graffiti in her blue and pink, Monkey heads and skulls surrounding the expansive ‘happy birthday~’ that had been scrawled over the ceiling.

Viktor made his way over in concern when Jayce started crying. “What is wrong?”

“I fucked up.” Jayce gasped out, “I fucked up bad.”

Chapter Text

“You want to what?” Silco asked, his lips curling back in annoyance at the paper in his hand. A marriage certificate signed by Councillor Kiramman.

Jayce took a deep breath, “Organise a political marriage to strengthen Piltover’s ties with Zaun.”

Silco sighed, dropped the paper to his desk and rubbed at his scar. “This is because your enforcers got off their leash isn’t it?”

The silence was telling enough, “What makes you think we want one of you down here underfoot?” He asked, levelling a questioning look to the man trying to negotiate with him. “and who would you have me give her to? The chem-barons aren’t fond of your lot. And since this is a councillor Kiramman’s signature, I doubt she’s offering herself. My information on her says she’s already married.” Jayce shook his head and Silco’s lip curled, “Which means it’s a child under her care then.”

“Jinx is nineteen.” Jayce offered bitterly.

Silco frowned, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration, “so not a child, but not legally an adult.” He sighed, “has she even been told she’s being sold off?”

The longer this conversation lasted the more he wanted to start a war out of frustration with the idiots running the show in Piltover. Had they learned nothing from Zaun’s emancipation? Their entire rebellion was because they were being neglected and used by Piltover and they wanted their freedom. Yet to secure an alliance they were falling back on bad habits.

He grimaced. “So you plan to drop her on us, and leave us to deal with the fallout?”

He clenched his fist and beat it to the desk, “Damn it Tallis, even now Piltover’s still pinning its problems on us.”

“Jinx is a good girl.” Jayce offered weakly then sighed, “I just hope that you guys will treat her well.”

“And what if I refuse this arrangement.” Silco said lowly, “She’s too young for most of the barons, and most of their children would not play well with a pampered Piltover girl.”

Jayce slumped in the seat across from him and shook his head, “then we’re going to have to come up with something else while I’m here to show Piltover and Zaun’s alliance.

Silco closed his eyes in frustration, “You could just keep your dogs on a tighter leash.”

Jayce winced, “trust me, I wish the others would accept that.”

He looked over at the councillor in interest, “you’re fond of this girl.”

Jayce sighed, “she’s like a sister. But the council agreed to this route before nominating the person. And since Councillor Kiramman is her legal guardian, I have no power to oppose the nomination.”

Silco considered this for a moment. This girl had connections to not one but two councillors. Though Kiramman’s fondness of the girl was questionable given the woman’s intentions to give her to Zaun, he couldn’t deny the emotion this man seemed to hold for the girl.

“You said her name was Jinx?” Silco asked curiously. He didn’t know which of the Chem-barons or their children would take a liking to the girl. But there was no rush for them to sign the certificate. For now they could take the girl in and let her get used to life in Zaun. The change would likely make or break the girl.

--

He was surprised by how much of a rush the entire thing was. Jayce had only been in his office that afternoon and they were all standing on the bridge that night.

Councillors staring down Chem-barons as they waited.

“Is there a reason for your haste?” Silco asked, “surely something like this would usually take far longer to implement.”

“The girl is flighty.” One of the councillors offered, “getting her here would be harder if she knew what was happening.” He looked over at where Jayce was watching the Piltover side of the bridge. “Some of us doubt that Councillor Talis would be able to keep the news from her.”

Silco looked away from the man, “yes, because having an informed and consenting young woman for this would be too inconvenient to arrange.”

Several of his chem-barons had snickered at his disgust.

“Just how long will we be standing here?” he asked, looking back to the Chem-barons, already they seemed anxious for a fight with the councillors and the enforcers they had brought. That need would only grow the longer they were in close proximity.

But not long after he’d asked they’d arrived. The stern and proper looking councilwoman and the lanky young woman by her side, dressed in white. Looking like a moth, illuminated by the lighting on the bridge. She seemed just as fragile, just as flighty.”

He watched her curiously. It wasn’t hard to understand her confusion at first. Then her hurt; no doubt she’d been told what she was here for. But the twitchy movements, and flickering gaze? She was panicking. Then pleading.

Silco almost felt bad for the girl, given away in a trade for a city she’d no longer be welcome in.

The anger was surprising though. The girl jerking out of the enforcers grip and dodging around them.

He must have chuckled out loud because the councillors had all turned to watch the scene also.

“Well guess what mother. I’m not a Pilty. I’ve never been a pilty.”

The yelling reached them, and at first he had to wonder if coming to Zaun was really deserving of such hatred. But then he realised the term the girl had used.

Pilty. The only people that use that word are Zaunites…

He frowned as she approached Councillor Talis, no doubt looking for confirmation.

“Fuck Piltover, and fuck you Jayce Talis.”

His brows rose, this behaviour really was unexpected from a girl raised in Piltover’s high society. And it only supported the seed of doubt that was slowly growing in him about her origins.

The girl was grabbed by enforcers again and dragged toward them and he couldn’t help but think that she looked like a cat trying to slash and hiss at the manhandling.

Some of the hair piled atop her head had come loose in her struggle and if she wasn’t swearing, scratching and trying to throw daggers out of her eyes she may have been a rather beautiful young woman. Oh, who was he kidding, this was Zaun. Those features weren’t exactly unknow or undesirable for their women.

He couldn’t help but grin as she broke free again, breaking the knee of one enforcer before netting the other.

The others around him were ready for the woman, their weapons, but hidden as she looked between the council members and he and his Chem-barons.

The girl had nowhere to go and more enforcers were driving her towards them. He felt the agitation of the people around him and held up a hand to signal for them to stay out of the conflict.

He was having far too much fun watching Piltover’s actions cause them problems. Seeing the petite blue haired woman downing several of them was also amusing to watch.

She might have been raised in Piltover, but she certainly fights like a street rat.

Silco watched as she started towards them, then escalated to a run, only to deviate to one side and climb effortlessly onto the side of the bridge. Talis rushes towards her, fear stiffening the man’s form and his eyes widen in realisation.

It isn’t hard to realise the girl’s plan. Though some part of him doubted she’d actually jump. The water here was polluted. It could do serious damage to the girl.

But she didn’t even hesitate to jump straight off the side and into the murky depths.

The topsiders had hurried to look for the girl. He simply shook his head and wandered over, looking into the dark depths. That dress hadn’t looked light. If it got water-logged, she could drown.

Only instead of being under the water, she was there, swimming in place, her dress now a stained brown with the shimmer of pollution clinging to it as she screamed a final fuck you at them all.

He watched in amazement as she dipped under the water for a moment. The floating fabric wreathing in the water before going relatively still.

“JINX!”

He glances over to Talis, noting his panic before looking back at the water and watching the woman resurface several metres from the soiled gown. Now clad in only her underwear.

He couldn’t help but chuckle at the complete refusal to cooperate with the council’s wishes the woman had shown.

“Send people to go get her.” He ordered. “After that bath her skin will be burning.”

He looked over to the councillors, all still staring at the water in shock.

“Well this was a spectacular waste of time. Next time you lot have a bright idea. Kindly keep Zaun out of it.” Silco said with a grimace.

“But Jinx!” Jayce exclaimed.

“Is now in Zaun as you had planned. And is, therefore, no longer your problem, or under your jurisdiction.” Silco warned, “And if I see more of your enforcers down here causing trouble. You can consider our alliance voided.”

Jayce flinched back but nodded. “just…” he paused, eyes flickering from the dark water to Silco. “Please make sure she’s safe.”

Silco huffed, “It’s Zaun boy, Safety is relative.” Then he looks at the self loathing on the man’s face and sighs. “If we find her I’ll do what I can. For the sake of… peace.”

Jayce sent him a relieved nod and was called away by the other councillors moments later.

He turned to his own people, then walked through the crowd back into their city. Until his people brought him the girl, there was nothing that could be done about the current situation.

--

Jinx managed to get to shore, wading through the water in nothing but her bra and panties, her skin itching at the chemicals covering her.

It made her laugh. Vi’d always told her not to swim in the water. It never stopped her though. But she didn’t remember it hurting this much.

Her laugher trailed off into a grimace as she scratched at the irritated skin.

A shower. She needs a shower. Hell. She’d go with the good old undercity staple of a bucket and water if it got this gross slimy crap off her and stopped her skin from continuing to burn.

The issue was finding someone that was willing to help her. The undercity wasn’t too well known for its hospitality. And it’s not like she could just wander back to the last drop. Everyone there was dead and hopefully buried, all she’d be if she went back is the girl that killed a great man and three kids with her bad luck.

She shook the thoughts off.

Focus. Bath first. Who has baths?

She could break in somewhere. It’s been a while, and she didn’t have her sister and brothers to back her up…

The weight of her wet hair tugged on the pins it was trapped by, making her scalp sting. So she pulled the pins out, then smiled, “Aww. Mother, you shouldn’t have.”

She grinned at the bejewelled items. “I’ll be able to buy a bed for the night with these too.” She laughed. Now. What part of the city was the brothel? They were the most likely to have hot baths and a pillow they’d be willing to exchange for some valuables and not they were probably the least likely to gut her in her sleep.

--

The people in the red light district had given her a wide berth, no doubt because she was covered in a very noticeable layer of gunk, but it worked in her favour and let her get to her destination unbothered.

She was at least slightly thankful that her hair was the way it was, giving her at least a little coverage as she went.

But stepping through the doors to the first brothel she saw was nerve wracking. She’d only run past as a kid, and living in Piltover as a councilwoman’s daughter, she had no reason to go anywhere near these places.

She glanced through several open doors as she went, her eyes looking over what was inside. A lot of suggestive interactions, drinking and recreational drugs for the most part.

“You won’t see much in the open rooms girl.”

Jinx flinched at the stern voice and looked at the Yordle that had spoken with wide eyes.

“I… I need a bath and somewhere to sleep for the night.” She stuttered, shrinking back a little at the woman’s appraising gaze, hesitantly offering up the pins from her hair.

The woman looked at the pins and nodded, “Pick someone.”

Jinx blinked and shook her head, “I don’t need-“

The woman nodded and looked through the room for someone as she continued to speak “They’ll draw you a bath and bring you a towel. Something to wear.” She pauses to look at the mess of wet knots Jinx’s hair had clumped into. “Maybe help you run a brush through that.”

Jinx nodded hesitantly, “any of the girls will be fine.”

The woman waved someone over to them. “This is Mira.” She said turning to the woman, “get her a bath and some clothes. She’s paid for the night.”

She looked back at Jinx. “Mira is a hostess, she will be your companion for the evening. Your coin will go further with her than it would with one of other girls.”

Jinx sent the woman a confused look and got a sigh.

“Not everyone here sells their body, our hostesses see to guests that are looking for company without physical expectations. They also entertain anyone who’s waiting for their chosen companion to be available.” The woman took a deep breath through her cigarette holder and blew out a cloud of smoke making Jinx’s eyes water.

“If you would follow me.” the woman said with a smile, “I’ll begin preparing a bath for you.”

Jinx’s gaze slipped over to the woman not much older than her and nodded, taking a few hesitant steps towards her.

A bath would be great, as it was her skin was prickling and sore from the chemicals of the water. Lifting a hand to scratch at her arm she grimaced at the sting of her now sensitive skin.

“You look like you’ve had a hard night.” The woman said, opening a door into a room with a small tub and some dividing screens.

Jinx scoffed, “you’ve got no idea. I had my family sell me.”

The woman shook her head, “That I do know.”

Jinx looked at the other for a moment and sighed, “right.” She looked away as the woman moved to fill the tub. “sorry.” She offered with a grimace.

“It was a long time ago. They had four other children to look after, I was the eldest.”

Jinx’s hackles raised with how emotionlessly the woman put it. It might have been something common down here, but that doesn’t mean it should be.

“since you’re here I’m guessing they weren’t successful?” the woman asked with a slight laugh.

Jinx grinned, “nah, I told them to get fucked and jumped off a bridge.” She paused for a second. “don’t regret it either. They can clean up their own problems and keep me the hell out of it.”

The girl hummed and gestured to the half filled tub. “you should get in and we’ll get you cleaned up then.” She offered.

Jinx looked at the water, then the woman, and shrugged, pulling off the few things left covering her. First the bra, then her panties, leaving her standing there under the other woman’s gaze for a moment before she stepped into the water.

There was nothing to be ashamed of. It was all just skin, and if this woman worked here she would have seen all of this before right?

The warm water soothed her skin immediately and she sighed as it lifted most of the chemicals from the skin it touched.

The feel of a damp cloth touching one arm startled her, making her turn panicked eyes over to the frowning woman.

“your skin is red.” She offered, gently pulling the soft cloth over her tender skin.

Jinx scoffed, “I’m surprised I have skin left. It’s felt like the time I accidentally got a minor acid on my fingertips in one of my experiments. And even then it took me a week for my skin to stop tingling.”

The woman grimaced, rinsed the cloth into the bathwater and gestured for her to lean forward.

Jinx pulled her hair to one side and leaned forward to hug her knees while the other washed her back.

“Do you ever hate them?” she asked the other woman. “for selling you?”

Mira hummed, “I did.” She answered, “for a long time. but… holding grudges for so long… it’s exhausting. Especially when you can’t act on them.”

 “yeah, but I’m gonna make them pay.” Jinx scowled, “they were selling me for power and influence and to fix their own fuck ups. I’d love to see how they’d react if I completely shattered all of that.” She grinned, leaning back to look at the other woman with her teethy smile.

The other woman shook her head in amusement, “You think you could do that on your own?”

Jinx’s smile fell, and her eyes flickered over to Mylo goading her.

“I’ll find a way.” She said, glaring at the shadowy spot. “I’ll make them pay for betraying me when I trusted them.”

The woman sighed and went about washing her hair. “Do you even have anywhere to go?”

Jinx grimaced, “dunno, I was just gonna find some hole to lay low in and work on my plan.”

The woman hummed, “Maybe you should speak to Madame Babette. This place isn’t that bad. The madam is fair and she looks after us better than a lot of other places around here would. It would give you a roof over your head and some money if you needed it.”

Jinx played with the washcloth that had been left in the water and started trailing it over her skin. “Maybe…” she said hesitantly.

“Most of us start off as hostesses. We don’t change from that unless there are rooms available and we step up to claim them.” Mira said, nails raking across Jinx’s scalp sending shivers down her spine. “we don’t earn as much as the others, and what we do get is mostly from tips… but it keeps us off the streets. And security watches out for us.”

Jinx pursed her lips in thought. “so free bed and food in exchange for flattering and talking with people.” She scoffed.

Mira shrugged, “there’s a bit more involved, but in a general sense, yes.”

Jinx grinned at the other girl again, “I’ve been to so many boring events and been made to play nice that I could do that in my sleep.”

The other girl chuckled and rinsed out her hair. “Then I’ll let the madam know that you may want to talk with her. I’ll let you finish up in here and get you a towel and some clothing.”

Jinx watched as the other girl left then threw a glare over to the shadows in the room. “shut up.” She growled, “shut up. This has nothing to do with you.”

She averted her eyes down to her pink skin and started scrubbing them. The force darkening patches to a splotchy red, but the pain that flooded her system from the harsh treatment did help drown out the bad thoughts and feelings flooding her brain.

“This is my life. My choice.” She said glaring at the now fuzzy shadow.

Chapter Text

Jinx’s talk with the madam was filled with the woman’s incredulous looks.

“you want to work here?” the raised brow and disbelief made Jinx’s hackles rise.

“What’s wrong with that? Am I not good enough?” she responded bitterly.

The woman laughed, “You come in here, obviously in trouble, with expensive jewels and giving off the feeling that you don’t belong here. And you want to work.”

Jinx looked away. “I’ve got nowhere else to go.” She said bitterly, “And I was born in the undercity, I haven’t forgotten what these streets are like.”

Babette watched her for a moment.

Jinx looked at Mira who hummed, “Perhaps Madam, A trial night?” the woman was then pinned under Babette’s gaze, “I… I could watch over her for the night.”

The woman frowned, then looked back at Jinx and sighed, “One night. You don’t show promise and you’re out of here.”

Jinx smiled widely and nodded. “Of course.”

“Tonight Mira will teach you the ropes. Tomorrow you’re on the floor working front of house.” The woman said, narrowing her eyes at her. “What’s your name girl?”

Jinx blinked, she wasn’t willing to give her real one, just in case someone tried to come looking for her.

“Blue.” She offered hesitantly, “or mouser?”

The woman’s lips curled down, “a stage name is smart, but tell me girl. Are you going to bring trouble?”

Jinx shrugged, full disclosure made sense, she’d already told Mira her intentions, it would be easier to be upfront about them than have whispers happening behind her back. “To you? Not intentionally. To the people who betrayed me? definitely. But I will be careful not to bring it back here.”

The woman sighed, “I trust you realise that there are some people you shouldn’t anger…”  the warning was appreciated, but Jinx had no intention of letting it sway her purpose.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She said with a fake smile. The woman pursed her lips and turned to Mira. “teach her the ropes.”

“Yes madam.”

--

“you did what?!” Viktor yelled, “How could you.”

Jayce cringed and curled into himself slightly at the sight of the uncharacteristically enraged man.

“I thought it was the only way to keep the peace.” He whispered, “I was the only one on the council opposed to the deal. I was outvoted.”

Viktor ground his teeth together, “you. You are the one who makes the deals. Not them. You could have found another way.” He dropped back into his chair, throwing his cane away in anger. “She is like family.”

Jayce moved to retrieve the cane and return it to the man. “I know.”

Viktor hissed a breath and Jayce looked at him concerned.

“has anyone even told Caitlyn?”

Jayce looked away, shaking his head, “no.” Caitlyn wouldn’t have stood by and let it happen, things would have been even worse if she’d gotten involved.

“If you think that I’m mad…” Viktor warned, glaring at the other man.

“I know. She’s never going to talk to me again.” Jayce cringed.

“I am your partner and I’m tempted to do the same.” Viktor growled, “How are you so smart and so stupid at the same time.”

Jayce deflated, he deserved the anger and the criticism for his inaction and his action. The entire situation was all wrong. “I should go tell her.” He said wincing.

“no.” Viktor said, glaring up at him and shifting to stand again. “you should stay here and contemplate the ramifications of your actions. I will go find Caitlyn. The two of us will rant and grieve this unfortunate loss together.”

“Jinx isn’t dead.” Jayce said firmly.

“You don’t know the undercity.” Viktor retorted, “Jinx may have been born there, but she was taken from it so young. Without anyone looking out for her, that city will eat her alive.”

“Jinx is smart. She’ll be fine.” Jayce said, trying to convince himself more than Viktor.

“That would be a blessing and a curse.” He responded, heading for the door, “I don’t need to remind you that the girl is a genius, but also rather volatile at times.” He opened the door and turned back at Jayce, “What you’ve done is set off a time bomb, or a loose cannon. And it will be aiming right back to what made it.”

Viktor clicks the door shut just as Jayce had claimed his seat and cradled his head in his hands.

A small part of him wanted to feel bad for the man, but most of him was just angry that he did this in the first place. He knew that Jayce becoming a councillor wouldn’t end well. They were scientists. Not politicians.

For now though, he needed to find the elder miss Kiramman, which would mean stopping by an enforcer station and trying to find out her current post.

What happened after their talk. They would have to wait and see.

--

“so keep the booze flowing, appeal to their ego’s and play coy when they get handsy until security interferes.” Jinx summarised. “Easy enough.”

Mira sighed, “it’s a little more involved than that…”

Jinx shrugged, “So there’s some drugs and threats involved, this is the undercity, that’s not a surprise. I can handle myself.”

The other woman continued to run a brush through her hair, “this might not be Piltover, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t political games being played down here. Discretion is important Blue. We’re the most popular brothel in this district. You will hear things, and if you don’t want to put a target on your head you’d do well to make sure that information doesn’t leave these walls. We’re a neutral territory, the last thing anyone here wants is to upset a baron or gang leader cause someone couldn’t keep their mouth shut.”

Jinx rolled her eyes, “you think way too highly of Pilties. Trust me, their parties are probably just as corrupt as the one’s that happen down here. They’re all just pretending they aren’t about to sabotage each other. Should have seen the betrayal coming really.” She finished bitterly, shrinking down slightly as Mira started braiding her hair.

“Just… tread carefully, be charming and welcoming, but make sure you don’t pry for anything more than they willingly give. Even if the information could help you.” Mira warned, “too many girls come here with a grudge and end up leaving in a body bag because they’re impatient.”

Jinx caught her eyes in the broken mirror, “I get it. Take my time, draw them in, make them comfortable. Take whatever information they let slip.” She muttered.

Mira nodded and they sat in silence while the woman braided her hair. Once both braids were tied off the woman stepped back.

“The room is yours for the night.” She said, “tomorrow you’ll be moved in into the shared rooms.”

Jinx nodded, “right.”

“just…” Mira paused, “This isn’t a bad place… But if you want to survive and thrive you need to be smart about what you do from here.”

Jinx glanced away from her but nodded again. Restraint was something she’d struggled with as a child, but it was something she’d been forced to learn under the kirammans. But so was patience. So between the two of them, she was willing to lay low and plan. But she wouldn’t forget.

Mira left and she grinned.

“I won’t forget.” She turned back to the broken mirror and pulled her fringe out of the braids. “but maybe I’ll let them stew just long enough that they start to feel safe…”

--

His leg and spine were both protesting to the strenuous activity he’d done that evening. But here he was, face to face with Caitlyn’s confused frown.

“I don’t suppose your shift ends soon?” he asked her, “something has happened.”

“Jayce?” Caitlyn asked in worry. “Is he alright.”

Viktor scoffed, “eh, that depends on your definition. But physically he’s unharmed.”

Caitlyn frowned, “if it isn’t Jayce…” Her eyes widened immediately “JINX!”

Viktor sighed, “the situation is… not good. But you would not be able to finish your shift if I tell you.”

He could see the immediate panic and fear in the enforcers eyes and nodded as she ordered him to stay where he was while she disappeared to talk to the three enforcers, he’d called her away from.

They all nod or shrug and moments after she’s rushing back over to him.

“They’ll cover me.” She explains, “I wasn’t even supposed to be here this evening anyway.”

Viktor grimaces, “yes. I understand why they did that.”

The woman walks by his side as they make their way to one of the public benches. He needed to sit before his leg decided to give out.

“Viktor, why are you here, not Jayce?” She asked him. “What’s wrong with Jinx?”

Viktor stares at the cane in his hand. “Jayce did something… I am angry, you would be even more so. For his continued existence I thought hearing this from someone else would be better.”

Caitlyn’s face smoothed out into a neutral expression as she asked coldly. “What’s wrong with Jinx?”

Viktor sighed and deflated a little. “She’s missing Caitlyn.”

The woman froze and he slowly continued to share what he knew of the story. “She was meant to be given by marriage to one of Zaun’s council, either Silco, his Chem-barons or one of their children.” He grit his teeth at the thought of the woman just being given away like property to strangers. “your mother sighed the paperwork.”

Caitlyn flinched back, shaking her head in shock.

“I would guess that is why you were stationed in this part of the city tonight. To keep you from knowing.” Viktor offered, “they tried to hand her off at the bridge. She didn’t cooperate.”

Caitlyn looked proud for a moment before the look was replaced by concern again. “What happened.”

Viktor sighed, “she jumped off the bridge.”

“She what?!” Caitlyn exclaimed, jumping up from the bench and moving to pace.

“She jumped, shouted profanities, undressed in the water then swam in the direction of the undercity. That is all I know.” Viktor stated, then paused, “oh, and that she apparently took out two enforcers on the way through.”

Caitlyn blinked at the new information then grimaced, casting her gaze back to the enforcers she’d left behind.

“Did they deserve it?”

Viktor’s brows rose in surprise. “Eh, that is hard to say, they would have been following orders, but is silence and compliance in such a situation the right thing to do?”

Caitlyn turned and slumped back into the bench, “what do we do?”

Viktor shrugged, “I don’t know.” He admitted, “pray that she is safe and that she’s forgiving?”

Caitlyn scoffed, “you’ve met her right?”

He sighed, “yes. I know, it is unlikely.”

“I should find her.” Caitlyn declared.
Viktor chuckled, “You know nothing of the undercity past your maps.”

“no.” Caitlyn agreed, “I don’t, but Jinx is my sister, and I’m not going let her think that I abandoned her like this.” 

Viktor sighed. “I suppose I could keep your departure a secret from Jayce and therefore the council and your mother.” He chuckled, giving her a slight smile, “it is only fair that we have our own secrets since they kept their own also.”

Caitlyn nodded, “Will you come?”

Viktor frowned, “Probably not the best idea, I would only hinder you.” He paused for a moment, petting over his pocket. “but… if and when you find her.” he dug in to pull out a necklace with a shining blue orb attached, “please give her this. I’ve been working on it for months.”

Caitlyn gently accepts the necklace. “Hextec?”

Viktor nodded, “yes, you know how careless she can be with her experiments. I made it and crafted the runes to create a barrier between her and any explosions.”

Caitlyn nodded, and threw her arms around the man. “thank you.” She said, “I’ll make sure she gets it.”

Viktor hummed, “good.”

She stood up and tucked the necklace into her uniform.

“You will want to change.” He advised, “enforcers… are not looked upon fondly in Zaun. You’ll need to blend in. That means not taking an enforcers rifle…”

Caitlyn looked down at her uniform then back at Viktor. “right.”

He already knew that she had more than a few pistols and other rifles at home. Some of which Jinx had crafted for her. Chances were high that Caitlyn would use those and take inspiration from Jinx’s ‘casual’ wardrobe which had only slightly veered away from regular Zaunite apparel.

“Good luck.” Viktor said as she walked way.

He leaned back against the bench chair. He would go back to his apartment tonight. Leave Jayce to think over the consequences of his actions for a while longer before maybe taking pity on the man.

This wouldn’t be forgiven. It was too big of a transgression to sweep under a rug, but they had work to do, and he was going to be riding Jayce to get it done, no more parties, no more politics. They are scientists. Not soldiers, not Politicians. It’s time the other man remembers that.

Chapter Text

The next day she was taken to a wardrobe filled with lingerie and robes.

Several others were either dressing or undressing in the room and Jinx stared in awe at the others. Watching as they moved with practiced ease, picking out an outfit, stripping their clothes off, the old ones going into a hamper before they dressed.

The confidence these women had in baring their bodies left her slightly self-conscious and breathless.

“laundry is done daily.” Mira explained, “sent out and properly cleaned. It costs a lot, but having shared wardrobes gives everyone options.”

“There’s so many things.” Jinx whispered. Eyes darting around at all the colours and textures.

Mira chuckled, “This is only part of it. Babette has a second wardrobe that you need special permission to access. Everything in there is expensive and exotic. Not many of us get to see it. Usually it’s kept for special client requests.”

 Jinx nodded, her eyes following as the others chattered among themselves while they changed before they would leave shortly after.

“you’ll need to change.” Mira said, “pick anything here you want.”

Jinx looked around in panic. It was too much. Too many options and way too many things she’d never worn before.

“or… I could choose for you?”

Jinx nodded in relief and followed as the other woman made her way through the room.

What she was handed was a light blue mess of lace and straps and a pair of high stockings.

Jinx stood there for a moment under Mira’s expectant stare before finally dropping the robe she’d been given the night before. She was in a brothel. She was going to be working here to keep a roof over her head while she figure out what to do next. She didn’t have the privilege to be shy right now. Besides. She’d walked through Zaun in what was probably less than this new outfit already. And everyone here had already seen at least each other naked.

There was a lot of clips and buckles, shining silver details among the blue. And an excess of straps that she’s gotten twisted at least a couple of times in her attempts before pity and assistance was finally given.

“It’s like you haven’t put this kind of thing on before.” Mira had laughed.

Jinx had shrunk slightly, “I haven’t.” she admitted, “no reason to.”   

Her comment got a simple ‘oh’ followed by silence as all of the fastenings were set, then the waist piece was added.

She’d been guided to a mirror and stared in shock at her reflection. Her mouth going dry at the sight.

“I think you’ll be a rather popular request Blue.” Mira said with a grin, handing over a semi-transparent light grey robe that wouldn’t clash with the blue of her hair and clothes.  

Jinx felt her lips quirk up hesitantly as she took in the sight of her body covered in lace, straps and fastenings. She’d never felt like this before. For the first time, she looked and felt like a woman. Felt desirable. Not the orphan girl with the childish clothes, flat chest and baby face.

‘now look at you, a whore.’ She grimaced at mylo’s reflection and poisonous words. “am not.” She hissed. Then jumped slightly when something was waved in front of her face.

Mira grinned at her, “I thought this one would be appropriate given one of your names.” she teased, holding out the white porcelain mask with the rounded ears, slightly tapered nose and oval eye holes. It would only cover half her face, but that was fine.

She took the mask and ran her hand over the blue flourishes of paint laid delicately on its surface.

“It’s a mouse.”

Mira nodded, “convenient too that you have a pray name. Front of house use pray masks, mice, birds, etc and the back-room workers are predators. You know, foxes and wolves, that sort of thing.”

She held a different mask from the night before. “we don’t have to use the same ones, but some people have favourites.”

Jinx had slipped the robe over her and followed as the other girl started for the door.

The brothel was quieter during the day. Most of their clients had disappeared, no doubt needing to return to whatever jobs they had that paid for their leisure activities.

But it had given Mira time to show her around properly. As hostesses the back rooms were mostly off limits unless they were put on cleaning duties between clients.

There were common rooms for the staff to use between clients, or for those that lived on the premises to use whenever, and shared quarters for them to sleep in.

The sight of so many people in one room had brought a slightly hysterical giggle out of her. The last time she’d shared a room it had been her and her siblings. Before she killed them…

The front of house was what they spent most of the day running through. It was a couple of smokers lounges, smaller rooms and alcoves that would allow minor privacy.

“our job is to keep the liquor flowing and the clients entertained before any main appointments.” Mira said, “usually they have an appointment with one of the back-room staff. But not always. Some people just come here to drink, smoke and relax.”

She nodded, her eyes flickering over to the door as a new man entered and spoke to the woman sitting at the front with the establishment’s appointment book.

“looks like it’s you’re time to shine Mouse. He’s a regular, name’s Hark.” Mira pushing her forward, towards the new arrival and Jinx felt her anxiety rise rapidly as she approached. But this was fine. She closed her eyes as Mylo started taunting her again and forced a smile to her face.

“Welcome back Hank.” She said after watching the woman put his name in the book for one of the girls. “Would you like a drink while you wait?” she offered, trying not to flinch back as the largely built man stared her down.

Thankfully she’d been trained to mask by her mother’s orders. So while this man looked like he could squash her easily, she didn’t let that fear show.

He grinned at her and tossed his coat to the woman on the front desk before approaching her.

This was fine.

Mira had already introduced her to the two security people on right now. And she had to believe the woman wouldn’t give her someone too dangerous for her first guest.

“Pretty little thing.” He cooed at her, scooping her off her feet and making her yelp in shock. She hadn’t expected to be man handled. But he hadn’t put his hands anywhere especially inappropriate and he was heading for one of the public lounges so she relaxed slightly.

“Thank you.” She breathed, still slightly in shock from the sudden movement. “you’re strong.” She giggled, “I’ve never had someone just pick me up so easily.”

She wasn’t completely sure if this was ‘flirting’ but most men took pride in their physical abilities so it couldn’t go too wrong right?

And apparently that guess had been correct because he laughed loudly as they crossed the room, “you are tiny. It isn’t hard.”

Jinx pouted and he laughed more. “am I being bullied right now?” she teased. “is that what’s happening?”

“I like you tiny girl.” He said. Finally setting her back on her feet before moving to sit in one of the booths. “you’re braver than most of the others. Funny too.”

Jinx gave a nervous chuckle. “How about that drink?” she asked with a grin.

--

“she’s a natural.” Mira said as she watched the interactions with Babette.

“It’s obvious she doesn’t fit in though.” The yordle said with a frown. “the way she carries herself, talks and interacts screams higher society.”

Mira sighed, “she’s running.”

“I’m aware.” Babette took a long drag of her cigarette, “she wont be very successful if she stands out so much.”

“will you send her away?” Mira asked, eyes trained as Jinx laughed and teased the man. His room was already available but babette had kept the girl from interfering for the last forty-five minutes.

The man was a gentle giant most of the time, for all his large, rough tattooed exterior, but he did usually get annoyed and angry if he was left waiting for too long. But somehow Jinx had kept him entertained far longer than he would usually tolerate.

“no. But if she’s going to stand out, then she needs a reason to.” Babette declared. “Have the girl come up with a story. She came here from some other land, Noxis or Ionia or Demacia. Figure that out then we’ll dress her appropriately.”

Mira blinked and looked at the yordle who turned and started down the hall back to her office “She’ll stand out, but if we make that deliberate… well, people that don’t want to be found don’t generally make themselves so easily known.”

Mira nodded. “I’ll take her off the floor once Hank is gone. And organise that madam.”

The woman nodded once more and Mira turned her gaze back as the worker for Hank’s appointment finally entered to retrieve the man.

Chapter Text

Jinx thought that maybe she’d done something wrong when Mira had pulled aside and into the staff rooms.

‘of course you did something wrong. You can’t even sell yourself right.’

She flinched at the remarks and stared at her feet, “Did… Did I do something wrong?”

Mira’s sudden laugh made her flinch, before she relaxed, realising there was no maliciousness in it. “oh no. You are a natural, Babette was impressed. But you stand out too much, even in common clothing.”

“I’m sorry.” She sighed, no doubt she’d be back on the streets looking for some small hole to hide in.

“Don’t be.” Mira said with a grin, “We’ll work around it. Embrace it, even.”

Jinx frowned as the woman dragged her to one of the lounges.

“you hold yourself with a grace that isn’t… common… here. But we can use that to our advantage.”

“if they know I’ve come from piltover they’ll find me faster.” Jinx said with a frown, she’d grown up in these lanes but she’d been gone for so long and had all her mannerisms trained to represent a highly noble house… she would have to consciously try to emulate those around her if she was going to fit in.

“Yes. But what if you weren’t from Piltover?” Mira asked.

Jinx blinked and frowned, “I was made to read about the other regions…” she commented in thought, “Noxus and Demacia mostly. And a little bit about Ionia. Piltover trades with them the most.”

Mira nodded as Jinx continued to think, “I don’t know enough about Ionia to sell a story if I had to. Nor do I know much about Noxus’s military that they’re so proud of… but…”

She hummed, tapping her fingers in a short rhythm, “but my mother did force me to take dance, music and arts classes to try and ‘instil a sense of culture’ into me. From what I can recall these are all things appreciated by the Demacians.”

Mira nodded, “We have had some pass through, they are almost always eloquent and educated. It would make sense.”

Jinx hummed, “I suppose it wouldn’t be too hard to sell the idea.”

“Especially once you look the part.”

“What?” Jinx asked, sending the other woman a quizzical look.

“Babette’s letting you into the private stashes.” Mira chuckled, “We’re going to dress you like the Demacian you are, and no one will think twice about it.”

--

Caitlyn might have maps and plans and theories about the undercity sprawling her bedroom floor. But it was one thing to stand on a stool and stare down at it, and another entirely to have her feet in the grime as she dodged through brawls and desperate hands.

It was concerning that these were the streets that Jinx had grown up on, but it also explained a lot about the young girl and her trust issues.

She was sent dark looks from the locals and cursed by them as she made her way through the dingey streets.

Was Jinx scared to be down here again?

That was the anxious thought that kept her going through the threatening stares and suggestive comments. Jinx was down here, alone and probably scared with no one to look out for her. But it also flooded her with a helpless feeling. The undercity was huge, a disorganised chaos of scrap and buildings piled haphazardly along dilapidated streets.

It felt endless, and she didn’t have the slightest idea on where to start looking.

“you lost Piltie?” came a snide voice and she spun around to see three men slowly advancing on her.

Caitlyn pursed her lips, she’d tried her best to find something that would let her blend in, but apparently, she hadn’t managed to pass herself off well enough.

“Oh no, I’m just looking for my sister, you don’t need to worry yourselves.” She said, raising her hands placatingly, but she was ready to reach for her rifle at a moments notice.

One of them scoffs and continues to approach, cracking his knuckles and his neck as he sauntered over. She was about to throw her hand back and pull her rifle from under the dingy cape she’d thrown on when another voice sounded in the dark street.

“Looks like some dogs are pawing for a bone that doesn’t belong to them.”

The man hesitated for a moment, stepping back from the owner of the voice. Leaving Caitlyn to look over as a shock of pink hair stepped past her, with a smug grin.

Her gaze followed the other woman as she stalked towards the men. Her posture making her seem bigger than she really was as she dared them to start a fight.

From the muscle and the way the others reacted to her, Caitlyn didn’t think the woman was a stranger to brawling… that and she seemed to have developed the muscle tone for it.

“Just sending this Piltie back where she came from.” the groups leader stuttered out.

The woman hummed and glanced back at her for a moment before turning back to the men. “I think I’ll take her off your hands then.”

They seemed ready to protest but the moment that the woman in front of her clenched her fists they all thought better of it and scampered off into the shadows.

“ah.” Caitlyn offered uncertainly, “thank you.”

The pink haired woman turned around with a scoff. “They aren’t wrong though, you don’t belong down here, go back where you belong. Zaun will eat you alive cupcake.”

“cupcake?” Caitlyn repeated with confusion before shaking the comment off, “I can’t. I have to find my sister. She’s down here alone and I need to make sure she’s okay.”

The woman across from her seemed to deflate slightly and her eyes flickered with emotions rapidly before she answered, “I had one of those once.”

Caitlyn blinked at the woman’s resigned and mournful tone.

“she went missing and I couldn’t find her. She’s probably dead and buried in some junk heap.”

Caitlyn could hear the pain through the grit out words. “What was her name?”

“Powder.” The woman muttered, “her name was powder and I failed her when she needed me most.”

Caitlyn gently set a hand on the woman’s arm. “Would you help me?” she asked, “You said it yourself, this city would eat me alive. But I can’t leave until I find her, I need to know she’s safe.”

The other gave a large sigh and looked at her with strangely familiar blue-grey eyes before she nodded.

“I’ve scoured every inch of this city. If I can’t use that knowledge to help Powder, then maybe I can use it to help you get your sister back.”

Caitlyn smiled at the other woman, “My name is Caitlyn, not cupcake.” She introduced.

“If you say so cupcake.” Vi teased, “Vi.” She responded, stepping back past Caitlyn then looking back when she wasn’t followed, “well come on. We can’t make a plan while we’re just standing in an alley. Besides, if we want to be efficient we’ll need help.”

Caitlyn nodded rapidly, rushing to catch up to the other woman. Something about her was fascinating. She wasn’t sure if it was how different she was from everyone in Piltover, with her gruff, street fighter attitude, with the soft hurt history, or if it was the eerily familiar eyes, or the way she’d come to her rescue with a veiled threat, all muscle and tattoos and scars.

No. She needed to focus. Vi was just going to help her find Jinx. She didn’t need to start feeling things for someone she’d only just met when there was a much larger issue to worry about right now.

Chapter Text

Jinx’s eyes grew wide at the second closet.

“you’ll want things from over here.”

She blinked at the masses of white silver and pale blue fabrics. “they’re beautiful…” she breathes and hesitantly reaches out to touch the silk of one of the robes.

“They’re Demacian in colouring and style. Less buckles and harsh straps. More… graceful and elegant.”

Jinx nodded uncertainly as she looked through the options, there were a lot of silks, sheer organza’s, soft laces and white furs.

“what if I ruin it?” she asks a little fearful, “they look expensive.”

Mira shrugged, “Accidents happen, as long as you’re being reasonably careful with the items you’ll be fine.” She offered. “you’re probably more likely to have a client spill alcohol on you. But at the end of the night those damages get charged to them.”

Jinx nodded and turned back to the collection. Running her hands over a set of white ruffles with blue ribbons similar in colour to the set she’d put on earlier.

“It’s cute right?” Mira asked, pulling it out. “It would suit you.” She pushed it into her arms and reached up to fetch a sheer frosty blue cape.

“do I have to change again?” Jinx asked running her fingers over the silky ruffles.

“That’s up to you on if you want to try working tonight and making some money or not.” Mira answered with a shrug.  

Jinx’s eyes passed down to the pile in her hands. It was just entertaining a few people, and she needed the money to buy some scraps to work with…

“I’ll be waiting outside for you.”

Jinx nodded to the other hostess and moved to set the pile of frills down. The outfit felt far more over the top than her current one did but she changed anyway. Getting lost in the ruffles on occasion before finally managing to secure the last hook of the waist piece. Then the single clasp at her throat for the cloak piece.

The ruffles made her feel like a child again, not helped by her young face. The numerous frills reminded her of the frilly, lace heavy dresses she’d been forced into by Cassandra. It made her perse her lips in annoyance at her own reflection, but she shook her annoyance at the overly flouncy material and made her way to the door. This was one night, there were many other options in this place that hopefully she’d never have to wear it twice.

But she wasn’t willing to reject something that Mira had put in her hands. Not after all the woman’s help.

She may want to burn piltover down for their betrayal, but she wasn’t cruel enough not to appreciate help when it’s offered to her.

Jinx opened the door and was met by Mira on the other side. “ready for your first night shift?” she asked with a grin.

Jinx scoffed, “I’ve faced worse.” She tried to joke and Mira did laugh, but this time it was one of disbelief as she responded.

“We’ll see.”

--

“It’s just through here.”

Caitlyn scowled, “You know, I’m starting to think you’re just luring me into some dark, dirty corner of these sewers to kill me.”

Vi scoffed, rolling her eyes as she kept moving, “If I wanted you dead cupcake, I would have done so at some point in our journey.”

“I didn’t realise the undercity was so big.” Caitlyn said, slightly winded after they’d spent several hours running, jumping and climbing through the city.

Her company laughed, “it’s not.”

“What?”

“I just needed to get you lost so you couldn’t find your way back here without help.” Vi said, tapping at a wall.

Just as Caitlyn was going to yell at the pink haired woman, a passage opened and she was almost blinded by the light that filled their sewer tunnel.

But her eyes adjusted and she was left staring in awe into the only green space she’s seen in the undercity, a large expanse of space was in front of her, filled with people and the largest tree she’d ever seen. It was gnarled and imperfect, but strong, reaching to the sky above.

“This is beautiful.” She breathed in surprise.

“it’s safe.” Vi answered “Don’t lag cupcake.”

Caitlyn hurried to catch up to the other woman, only to pause mid step at the image she caught in her peripheral vision. “Jinx?” she asked in confusion, turning immediately to approach the blue figure painted in a mural of figures.

“What did you say?” Vi asked, setting her hand firmly on Caitlyn’s shoulder and turning her away from the images.

“That’s my sister.” She whispered, shrugging off the grip to go stand in front of it. “That’s jinx… or… what she looked like when my family took her in.”

Caitlyn sent a confused look to the accumulation of trinkets and candles at the base of the mural, “what is this?”

“The people we’ve lost…” Vi answered, moving to step up beside her, frowning at the topsider, “Did you just say Jinx?”

Caitlyn nodded, gesturing to the image of the young blue haired, grey eyed child on the wall. “Jinx. She’d older now, kinda lanky, refuses to cut her hair so she wears it in braids that almost sweep the floor… Spends as much time as she can hiding from social situations either tinkering in her room or bothering Vikor and Jayce in their workshops…”  She glanced at the wide eyed woman as she stepped back.

“Her name’s powder.” Vi whispered, looking back at the image.

“What?” Caitlyn asked, turning to Vi, “Your sister?”

Vi nodded mutely, “I… I called her a Jinx the last time I saw her…”

Caitlyn wanted to fight this woman who had hurt her younger sister so much, that had created so many trust issues in their relationship after she’d come to be part of their family.

Vi stepped away, moving to punch at one of the concrete pillars as frustrated tears gathered, “Five years.” She growled, “I tore this place apart for five years looking for her. and she was up there the whole time?”

Caitlyn watched, and her own anger subsided slightly, this was a woman desperate to find and protect her sister. That was a cause she couldn’t fault. Even if the circumstances of their parting was leaving a bad taste in her mouth.

“I should have looked harder. I should have scoured piltover too.”

Caitlyn moved to set a hand on Vi’s shoulder. “You can’t change these things now.” She said, guiding her away from the cracking concrete. “but she’s back here now and she’s alone. I’m going to find my sister, if you want to come find yours too… that’s up to you.”

Vi looked back over to the mural again and nodded. “Ekko’s going to want to help.”

“who?” Caitlyn asked.

--

Jinx had been pouring wine for one of her clients for the night when the crash had happened. The client had been teasing her for the last hour, calling her baby girl, commenting about her appearance and trying to make her blush between her pouring his drinks and the flattery that fame naturally after so many years in society.

But the loud bang and crash had surprised her, leaving her jump slightly, spilling a small amount of wine, thankfully not on herself, as she snapped her attention to the source of the noise. 

Several of the available hosts were already heading to help the man back to his feet, but she stared at the vaguely familiar mask for a moment.

It wasn’t uncommon for men and woman to wear masks for their own anonymity here, but there was something about this particular one that left her tilting her head in thought.

“pour my drink baby.”

The comment from beside her snapped her back to reality and smiled, apologising and redirected her focus to the man who’d been tipping her rather generously.

“Apologies, that stunned me.” She said, finishing the top up before handing the glass back to the man with a demure smile.

“A startled little mouse.” The man laughed and Jinx did her best to laugh along, keeping it light and high, that bell like sound her mother had paid ridiculous money to instil in her.

She could still feel eyes on her and turned back to see the now standing man casting one last glance at her before he was guided out.

“Brand new and already bewitching men.” A man one lounge over her joked to them, “Fool walked into the door frame at the sight of you.”

Jinx blinked, tilting her head, “who? Me?”

“Well he wasn’t checking me out baby girl.” Her client said rolling his eyes. “Now. We were talking about Demacia.”

Jinx smiled and shook her head, “It’s rather boring to talk about.” She settled against him, looking up at him through her lashes, “I’d really rather hear about where you’ve been.” She tried to redirect, smiling when the man laughed, and began talking about his last trip to  the Noxian capital.

Chapter Text

Jinx stared wide eyed and stunned at the money pouch that was set in her hand the following morning. It was heavier than she’d expected it to be, and judging from some of the surprised and annoyed looks from the other girls, it was more than they’d expected too. But this was good. It meant she could start buying things soon. Gunpowder wasn’t cheap, especially if you wanted to keep your name off certain lists and away from prying eyes.

“you did good.” Mira grinned, “better than most newbies.”

Jinx shrugged, “it’s just telling them what they want to hear.” She set the pouch into the pocket of the flowy pants she’d been allowed to borrow, out of sight of dark, greed filled eyes.

“Can… Can I go out today?” Jinx asked, uncertainly.  

Mira laughed, “we’re not prisoners Mouse, you can come and go as you please as long as you’re here to get ready for your shifts.”

She blinked, “shifts?” logically shifts made sense, but no one had mentioned them before now.

Mira nodded and pointed out at the boards hanging up to one side of the common area. “Rosters are worked out a little strangely.” She started, “Babette calls the girls in each week, highest earners to lowest. You make the money to, and you get first pick of the next week’s shifts.”

“that feels unfair.” Jinx frowned, “Wouldn’t people with more earnings would take higher traffic shifts?”

Mira shrugged, “They aren’t always the best ones to take.” She admitted, “some days it can get rather rowdy in here. But if it’s any consolation, it’s done by hourly averages not by total weekly income.”

Jinx nodded, watching as the girls scattered, some wandering off towards the staff door, while others heading to bed now that Babette had handed out their tips.

“Newbies usually get allocated shifts for the first few weeks. A variety of day and night shifts, it’ll give you a feel for how this place runs and what kind of people come in when.” Mira said, yawning loudly as the hours caught up to her, “it’ll make it easier for you to choose shifts later on.” 3

Jinx nodded, seeing her name already up on the board for the next two nights, plus the following morning-noon shift.

Already her head was spinning with calculations as she tried to think about how much money she could save if the previous nights earnings were an average calculation.

“You’ll be climbing the rungs quickly if you keep pulling customers like you did last night.” Mira chuckled. “you’re lucky the Predators don’t see us Prey as threats to their profits.”

Jinx tilted her head in confusion, confused for a moment before remembering the symbolism of their masks.

“go do whatever it is you need to Mouser, Just be back in time for your shift.” Mira said, rising from the lounge they’d sat on, stretching for a moment before sending her a smile, “I’m planning at least a few hours of sleep before I my afternoon shift today.”

Jinx nodded, “Sleep well.” She offered automatically. Years of having to give greetings and parting comments to the Kirraman’s ingraining the response.

Mira waved her off and Jinx looked back up to the board her shift started at six in the evening. She had until five to do whatever she wanted and get back here.

She slips one of her braids over her shoulder and stands. That will give her time to figure out where she can set up a base. Cause she wasn’t going to play with guns and explosives somewhere that was as busy and bustling as this. And she wouldn’t want Babette or Mira involved if her future weapons were found.

--

Viktor grimaced as he made his way over the uneven rocks of his childhood, down into the darkness of the cave that led to Singed’s lab. The fluorescent glow blinded him as he pushed through the door, just as he had when he was a child, invited and free to come and go as he’d pleased.

“Viktor.”

He looked towards the sound and frowned at the scared man. “I… need a favour.” He grit out, trying to ignore Rio floating behind the man as he coughed, his lungs protesting the exertion it had taken to make it here.

Singed met him half-way into the room, walking with him across the lab. “I had not expected you to return here.”

Viktor frowned, that felt like a lie. He may not live in the undercity anymore, but he hears things, he knew that Singed had friends in high places, with the power and money to move him into a lab far more advanced than this one. The old man had nothing and no one else outside of these walls, and moving Rio and his equipment wouldn’t have been unreasonable. But despite these thoughts he simply shrugged.

“some things are worth revisiting old mentors for.” He professed, moving to take one of the lab chairs with a groan. “this place is not exactly disability friendly.” He complained.

“That never stopped you as a child.” Singed quipped back. “If you’re planning to continue visiting, should I get a ramp installed?”

Viktor could hear the humour in his voice and rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

The silence descended on them, heavy and oppressive as they both looked for words to break it.

“you mentioned a favour?” Singed prompted over the buzz and bubble of his workshop and equipment. “Your illness?” he asked. “it does seem to have progressed.”

Viktor grimaced, “no. eh, it is about a girl.” Singed scoffed but he continued, “she’s in the undercity alone. I’m worried that she’ll get into trouble here. It’s vastly different from Piltover afterall.”

“The girl who jumped off the bridge?” Singed chuckled, “the Chem-baron bride to be?”

Viktor grit his teeth. “Jinx.” He corrected, “Her name is Jinx.”

“Trust me boy, there are more than enough people out looking for her under Silco’s orders.” The doctor shrugged, “I don’t know what you expect me to accomplish on my own.”

“I want her back in Piltover.” Viktor said. “and if she can’t stand Piltover after what they did then I’ll take her somewhere else.” 

Singed chuckled, “Oh? Can you do that?” he asked, his eyes staring into Viktor’s “I thought you were one of Hextech’s founders, a great Piltover scientist, changing the world before he died. Can you just leave as you wish for a girl?”

Viktor frowned, “Research can be done anywhere. As long as Jinx is safe-“

“ah,” Singed chuckled again, “love, the antithesis of science.”

The silence returned once more and Viktor glared at his shoes.

“What if the girl is already dead?” The man asked, “or worse yet, what if she prefers it here?”

Viktor shrank into himself a little. He didn’t want to imagine Jinx was dead, but her preferring the undercity wasn’t an unreasonable thought, she had been born here, just like he had, the difference between them was that even after years in Piltover, there was still a wild child of the undercity trapped and stifled and under a taught façade.

“i… I don’t know.” Viktor admitted, “I’d like for her to be happy, regardless of where that is.” He frowned, “but I don’t want her forced into a marriage because of other people’s demands. And if she’s found…”

Singed hummed in amusement, “You’re worried that she will have to marry some old decrepit chem-baron.”

Viktor went silent, but it was enough confirmation for Singed to continue.

“The marriage certificate still lists no secondary name.” He offered the boy, Viktor sighing in relief at the information, “but the people to take that place are limited.”

Singed thought for a moment, “It has to be a chem-baron or one of their children. Several of the baron’s are already married, are uninterested or would prefer to rip her apart, Silco’s already put his foot down when Chross offered to take her, poor girl would be married ten years at most before she became a widow.”

Viktor grimaced and shook his head in horror.

“The only person on the council that was deemed acceptable was Finn. But that young man is insufferable at the best of times. Silco would rather not make his ego bigger. Which mean’s she’d likely be paired with one of the barons’ children. I try to avoid as many meetings as I can, so I don’t know much about their offspring, but if that girl is fortunate then there will be someone decent among them.”

“you go to the meetings?” Viktor asked in confusion, he’d heard he had connections, he didn’t realise Singed was the connection.

Singed blinked at him blankly, “I was put in charge of this part of the city years ago, I just prefer to focus on my science and leave it to run itself. People seem content to oversee themselves here.”

 Viktor stood, his crutch tapping on the stone floor. “Then you could put me forward as an option.” He stressed, reaching out to singed.

“Weren’t you listening boy?” he asked with an amused huff, “chem-baron’s children.”

“I don’t have parents.” Viktor supplied, “you could technically adopt me.”

“You’re hardly a child.”

“I need to make sure that Jinx won’t get hurt in all of this.” Viktor stressed, “Please.”

Singed looked at him and sighed, “You would need to stay here. Make appearances in the lanes. Meet the other Chem-Barons and Silco.” 

Viktor faltered for a moment. He wouldn’t be able to go back to Piltover. He wouldn’t be able to continue his work with Jayce.  

Was it worth it?

He thought about all the time’s Jinx had snuck up on him in the lab, throwing her hands over his eyes and cooing ‘guess who’ in his ear with a giggle, before ruffling his hair and bouncing off to greet Jayce or poke at something that had been left half finished.

He thought about all the miserable events they had both been forced to attend. Finding company with each other, reading through and adding to the notebooks he’d bring, swiping food from the buffets and going to admire the night sky away from prying eyes.

He thought about the time’s he’d woken up in his lab, bent over his desk, a blanket over his shoulders and a scrawled note in her favourite fluorescent colours telling him to sleep in a bed like a normal person next time.

He thought about the time she’d fallen asleep at hers and he tried to replicate it, only to have her big blue eyes staring at him when he went to stick the note to her forehead.

It would be worth it. It had to be worth it.

Chapter Text

Jinx found herself revisiting old haunts. Passing the store little man and Benzo had once occupied, both probably long dead. She saw that Vander’s bar had a new owner. Someone who’d put up some weird as fluorescent light up, a sign she’d spotted a hand full of times sprayed or painted on things in the lanes. Then there was the statue of Vander.

She stood there for some time, staring out from under the hood she’d claimed.

‘hey look. It’s out father you killed.’ 

She grit her teeth at Mylo’s goading and looked away from the metal form, dragging her feet as she continued to reacquaint herself with the lanes.

‘oh wait, we died too. Where’s our statues?’

“shut up.” She muttered under her breath.

Eventually she came to the arcade. It was dust filled and abandoned and the windows had been boarded up. 

She kicked her feet as she made her way through the targets. If no one was using this place then maybe she would. It had enough room for her to work and store her stuff.

Jinx reached down to pick up the plate that slots into Vi’s machine and grimaced at the Mylo face she’d drawn on it as a kid.

She could cannibalise some of the stuff that was in here. Use them for parts, maybe go scour the junk heaps for other bits. She’d be able to make a bomb or something pretty easily. It hadn’t been that hard as a kid, but at least now she had the education to ensure they functioned correctly.

Pistols, rifles or a blaster would be a piece of cake. She’d made plenty of them in Piltover for Caitlyn’s gun collection, and for her own.

She grimaced at the realisation that all of her hard work was now just sitting on a shelf in Piltover gathering dust like shitty display items.

A glance up at the broken skylight tells her it’s getting late and she should leave if she wants to get back to Babette’s in time for her shift.

--

“have you found her yet?”

Silco glared at the impetuous intruder.

“I assure you, if your little sacrifice is found, you would have been informed.” He drawled out, grimacing as Jayce slumped into the chair across from him.

“Yes. Please. Make yourself welcome.” He growled, turning his attention back to his papers.

“How haven’t you found her?”

Silco cast an annoyed glance at the man, “I wonder why she’s making it so difficult?” he asked rhetorically, “it cant have anything to do with the fact that she was sold without her consent.”

Jayce flinched and Silco felt pleased at the immediate shame that shrouded the man.

“There are people looking. They’ll cross paths with her eventually as long as she hasn’t gotten herself killed.”

--

Jinx darted into a side alley, her breath laboured from the running, but she couldn’t stop. Instead scrambled up onto a dumpster and struggled to scale a wall as her pursuers rounded into they alley.

She kept low and slipped across the rooftop.

She felt like a street kid again. Running after Vi when they pissed someone off enough for them to give chase.

But thankfully, her years of following her sister came in handy as she leapt over another narrow alley, casting a short glance back at the couple of people following her.

“It’s the girl!”

Jinx frowned and dashed down a fire escape. Dropping a short distance to the ground and bursting through a door into someone’s hallway.

“sorry to be a bother.” She called as she ran past a small family in their dining room.

The ruckus that followed with several of her pursuers bumping into each other in the narrow hall made her cackle, before she crashed through a window at the other end of the house.

If she remembered the area correctly. Then just to her left would be a grate.

And BINGO. She lifted the bars quickly, took a deep breath then threw herself down the shoot. Squealing in exhilaration at the adrenalin pulsing through her veins.

She’d fucked up on her way back. Forgot to put her hood back up, then next thing there’s people following her. but Jinx wasn’t about to lead them back to Babette’s which had resulted her trying to lose them, then into a full chase.

And now, with a thump and a grimace, she was dropped out into the trash with a laugh.

“get wrecked.” She shouted between giggled. “I forgot how fun that was.”

She made her way out of the pile, grimacing when she put her hand in something slimy, “eww.”

Now it was time for her to get back. But if people were actively looking for her still, she was going to have to think about making a few extra changes to throw people of Mouser’s tail.

She made sure her hood was secured in place before she stepped back into the streets, slipping through the shadows.

Perhaps she could find some false identifiers? Change her eye colour, she’d heard that shimmer could change people down here. Maybe she’d find someone selling purple contacts and paint on something like a fake tattoo?

She giggled to herself. Let them chase their tails and run about in circles looking for Jinx all the while she’d hide easily as Mouser.

--

Silco had only just gotten that annoying Piltover councillor out of his office when he was once again interrupted.

“What is it.” he asked, sending an expectant look at them. If they were barging in without knocking it had better be important.

“We found the girl.”

He blinked in surprise. He’d started to believe that she was smart enough to evade capture.

“and where is she now?” he asked, setting his pen down and linking his fingers together as her leaned forward on his desk.

They all shuffled but remained silent.

“Speak.” He growled, watching as they flinched back.

“She got away.”

He blinked, looking at the mass of men crowding his doorway and out into the hall. “From all of you?” He asked disbelieving.

“She was fast sir.”

He rubbed at his brow.

“The girl was slipping into allies, climbing and dropping from rooftops.”

“yeah, she even burst into someone’s house then crashed out their window.”

He couldn’t contain the brief chuckled of amusement. “Let me get this straight. All of you were bested by a child.” He stared at them, watching them flinch back at his emotionless drawl. “Then decided, rather than keeping your incompetence to yourselves, you’d rush here, barge into my office and tell me that I pay you too much because you can’t complete a simple fucking task?”

The immediate panic on their faces filled him with vindictive pleasure. Even if their inability to perform filled him with rage. “Get out before I put you all down like the dogs you are.” He growled out, then watched as they stampeded over each other in a hasty retreat.

“Imbeciles.” He grit out, reaching for a cigar, only for his eye to catch the problematic document he’d been glaring at on and off since receiving it.

Only this time instead of a glare, he let out a chuckle. “you’re much more interesting than I expected you to be.” He said, lighting his cigar and taking a long drag.

He exhaled the smoke as he lifted the paper. “I look forward to seeing what betrayal and rage make of you… Jinx.”

Chapter Text

“You’re late.”

Jinx bit her lip as Mira pulled her through the back door and off towards the baths.

“And you smell.” She grimaced.

Jinx bowed her head, “I had to lose a couple of tails. Might have ended up in the trash, but I didn’t wanna bring them back here.”

Mira studied her for a moment then nodded, “You sure you lost them?”

A light scoff later and she was starting to discard her clothes for a quick bath, “you think I can’t lose a couple of bumbling idiots?”

Mira frowned, “This isn’t Piltover.” 

Jinx bared her teeth at Mira, “no shit.” Then she chuckled, “it’s an even better playground to fuck with people.”

A bucket of water was dropped on her head, icy cold and left her shivering.

“that the fuck!”

Mira sent her an unimpressed look, raising one brow. “show up on time and it may be warm.”  

Jinx slid down into the chilly water to sulk, her fingers slowly working to unravel one of her braids while Mira worked on the other.

“Tonight is usually busy.” She said as she started washing her hair, picking the occasional piece of rubbish out of it with a grimace, casting it aside. “There will be more girls on the floor because of that.”

Jinx nodded and worked to clean her skin while her hair was scrubbed.

“The customers choose, and you may need to share tips if they want several attendants.” 

Jinx hummed in understanding, even if she had to split what she earned last night it would still be a decent profit.

“If people overstep it’ll be dealt with, security is usually circling and they will throw rule breakers out.”

She hummed again. “It was two fingers on my neck or throat in clear view of the security for help right?” she asked, vaguely remembering the silent signal she’d been told they watch for.

Mira nodded. It wasn’t often that they were needed here, this was the most reputable brothel in the undercity afterall, but this was still the undercity and dangerous people were everywhere.

She held her breath as more cold water was dropped over her. It was a relief to climb out and bundle up in a warm towel immediately after. Her teeth chattering as she sat on a stool for Mira to start drying her hair.

“Why do you help me this much.” Jinx asked quietly.

Mira hummed, “I’m training under Babette to one day become a madam also. You’re my trail run.”

Jinx blinked in confusion. “what?”

The other woman looked at her in the mirror and smiled, “one day I might be running a place like this, with a large number of girls, me being able to help and guide you is a test on my ability before that.”

“I’m the kiddy pool instead of the ocean.”

Mira chuckled, “Basically.”

“so you’re my boss then?” Jinx asked with a grin, getting a shrug in response.

“more like your manager. Babette’s word still overpowers mine, but unless she says otherwise, you’re answering to me.”

Jinx watched the woman work at settling her hair, now relatively dried.

“I brought something today.” She said with a smile, “I had to go into Piltover for it.”

Jinx grimaced at the reminder of her former home but nodded at the other’s enthusiasm, smiling lightly as she pulled a delicate looking crystal bottle from the pocket of the robe she was wearing. “it’s light and floral.” She smiled, “with a little citrus.”

Jinx blinked at the perfume, she’d seen it in plenty of shops topside, had also seen the pricetag attached to it.

She frowned as Mira sprayed it into her hair. 

“what?” jinx screwed her face up in confusion, “Why are you spraying me.” Though she had to admit it saw a beautiful scent and it’s placement in her hair made it feel like she was walking through a subtle cloud of it.

“It’s demacian.”

“It’s yours.” Jinx countered, “I’ve seen the price on those, you don’t need to waste it on me.”

Mira laughed, “We’ll see if it’s a waste or not later.” She laughed, “some of the girls choose to take a signature perfume. You’d be surprised by how many people return on a whim because they caught the scent on someone passing by.”

Jinx scoffed again, “I doubt anyone down here is wearing this. So that strategy is stupid.”

Mira shrugged, “no. but it’s still nice. Now. We need to get you in tonight’s outfit of choice.”

--

“Where the hell have you been?”

Ekko blinked at the explosive pink haired woman as she stalked over to him the moment he stepped through the entrance to their base.

“I got a tip off. Why, what’s your damage?” He frowned, his annoyance at her demanding tone triggering him slightly.

They might have been friends, they might fight for the same cause, but they clashed a lot. The downfalls of being co-leaders to the firelights. They constantly stepped on each other’s toes, and Vi thought, that just because she was older than him, that he should automatically yield to her.

Even when she was being an impulsive, hard headed, fists before words, idiot.

“It’s Powder.”

Immediately his blood chilled in his veins, his mind flashing back to the blue haired woman from the brothel.

“It’s Jinx.”

He startled from his thoughts at the unfamiliar voice, immediately on guard as he cast his gaze over her.

“It’s Powder.” Vi refuted immediately, “That’s the name our mother gave her.”

“Jinx is the name she chose.”

“Who’re you?” Ekko interrupted the brewing quarrel, casting a glance to Vi who shrugged.

“Someone who knows Powder.”

“I’m Jinx’s sister.” Caitlyn offered, “I’ve come to find her.”

“then what?” Vi scoffed, “take her back to Piltover. She doesn’t belong there Cupcake.”

Caitlyn looked away. Unable to refute the claim. If she took Jinx back, there was no guarantee that they wouldn’t pull something like this again. “We could leave. Get on an airship and see where it takes us. Jinx always wanted to go on one, but we never had a reason to.”

Vi blinked at her, “You’d leave everything behind and take her away.”

Caitlyn shrugged, “I’m already here aren’t I?” she asked, “if it keeps her safe then that’s all that matters.”

Vi went quiet for a moment and seemed to shrink in resignation.

“Tell us everything.” Ekko ordered, reaching out to grip at her shoulders, “Where was she all this time, why’s she suddenly back here, where do we find her?”

“Calm down little man.” Vi soothed, prying his hands of Cait’s shoulders, “but seriously, what brought her back?”

Caitlyn grimaced. “From what I heard, the council tried to trade her for peace. She ran, threw herself off the bridge and swam to the undercity banks. I need to make sure she’s okay.”

Vi was vibrating with rage, “TRADE her! To who?”

Caitlyn shook her head and shrugged, “To whoever runs this place.”

Vi and Ekko shared a glare, “Silco.”

Chapter Text

Jinx ran her fingers over the corseted piece she was wearing for the night, she’d been laced in somewhat tightly, enough to feel the firm pressure in her movements but not enough for it to be uncomfortable or painful. 

The matching panties were mostly lost in the ensemble, probably helped by the fact that they were a g-string that disappeared into her ass the moment she put them on, and she was unbelievably thankful for her long hair, or she’d have peoples eyes on the exposed skin all night. 

The silky stockings were delicate and soft as she pulled them up and secured them with garters, immediately feeling winded at having to bend in the corset. Then again once she had to strap up the doll like shoes.

Mira was there waiting at the door to look her over before she stepped out onto the floor.

She hadn’t been joking when she said tonight would be busy. Almost every couch, chair or wall occupied by a variety of men, women and less outwardly gendered individuals.

 Jinx made her way through the rooms, feeling the eyes drag on her as she tried her best to ‘float like a cloud’ a term one of her tutors had snapped repeatedly at her for hours on end as she would stalk back and forward through rooms in the Kirraman household, with several dusty and expensive books on her head, while the woman would tap and criticize her posture with a thin rod.

It was easy to stand out in the undercity when the forceful teachings of Piltover beat around her brain. But she wasn’t a Pilty, she was Demacian.

She sent a smile to one of the couples sitting off to one side with a hostess and continued making her way to the front door. Keeping an ear on the voices around her incase anyone called for her.

There was plenty of talk about her, accompanied by crude wishes and whistful sighs as she passed. And comment about her price.

“they’re really raising the bar. Babette’s was already expensive and now they’re putting out pretty exotic pieces like this? Bet she costs a fortune.”

She sent a soft smile towards the man, even if the words made her want to hit him. She knew she was selling her time and body, but that didn’t mean she wanted to hear people talking about it so blatantly.

“you!”

Jinx looked around for the source of the call and found a man surrounded by three other women.

She frowned behind her mask as he held his hand out and waved her over.

“Keep me company.”

Jinx smiled, “Only if the other ladies are okay with it.” she offered lightly, “I would hate to intrude on your time together, you all seem so cosy.”

The others seemed nonplussed by his request, or by him when he reached out to her, misplacing the two that had been lazing about each side of him.

She frowned when set his hands on her hips and pulled her forward.

“What’s your name.” He cooed, running his fingers against the fabric of her corset, and down to the skin just under where it stopped.

Jinx wanted to punch him already, with his obnoxious outfit, and the gold jaw piece and the clearly overly enlarged ego.

“Mouser.” She smiled, Shifting out of his graps, “I should get you a drink.” She offered with a smile, “yours is running low.”

He hummed and leaned back as she waved for one of the runners to grab her a bottle.

“Come sit.” He ordered, and she blinked, the couch was already filled by himself and the three girls he had draped by him. “Here.” He said. Setting his hand against his leg for a moment.

Jinx hesitated for a moment, the man already making her nervous. But she spotted the security hovering in the room and relented. Perching on his knee with a false smile.

She shivered in discomfort as he ran his fingers through her hair and looked away from the man through the crowd for the person supposed to be bringing the wine.

“It’s a pity you work front of house.”

Jinx’s attention snapped back to the man and she frowned as the way his hands continued to stroke at the flesh between her corset and stockings.

“I quite like it here, I get to talk to so many people.” She said, trying to soften her annoyance out of her voice.

“You could earn so much more.” He whispered.

“I earn enough already.” Jinx refuted, feeling relief when the wine arrived,

She looked over the bottle with a surprised glance, “one of our best,” she chuckled, and one of their most expensive. “an Ionian red.”

“nothing like a little piece of home.” He smiled, “Though I’m sure that’s also why you wear what you are. Demacian no?”

She nodded and smiled, pouring a glass for the man with a smile, “Yes. Reminders of home.” She trailed off. She was perpetually surrounded by them now, even if they were distorted and different from her memory.

Jinx offered him the glass, intrigued how it would interact with the golden jaw.

Instead he just watched her, his hand creeping back to her ass and she frowned.

“Sir, please keep your hands on my waist or my outer thigh as stipulated by front of house rules.”

“don’t be such a prude.” He chuckled, “I’m paying aren’t I. It’s not like I’m fucking you. It’s just skin.”

Jinx seethed. “Perhaps I should leave then.” She advised coldly, shifting to stand. Only to have him glare at her and dig his fingers into her skin.

“You’ll stay right where you are and do what you’re told.”

She screwed her face up in anger. Another fucking man thinking they could tell her what to do, control her and take away her free will. She needed out of this before she blew.

A glance over to security, calmed her momentarily, and she raised two fingers to her throat, pressing against the choker she’d worn for the night.

Only for her anger to return ruthlessly as their eyes widened, glanced at her client before they shook their head and looked away.

She looked at the other women with her, they all looked tired and miserable even if their makeup and smiled hid it well. This was not a good man, and whoever he was, people were scared to go against him.

“Sir.” She growled, “Take your hand off my ass.”

He smirked at her then struck it. His palm hot and hard against her skin. The slap ringing through the room as her ass protested the harsh hit.

He leaned forward and whispered, “I’ll do what I fucking want with you.”

Jinx was seething, every muscle in her body tense.

‘you’re a whore, you don’t really expect people to respect your choices right?’

“Shut up.” She hissed at Mylo as he goaded her from the sidelines, just one set of eyes among the room full of people the loud impact had draw.  

“What?”

She glared, “I don’t care who you are. We have rules here, now get your hands off my ass before I break your fingers.” She seethed, listening to the pitched intake of breaths around her.

“I’d like to see you try.” He said, digging his fingers into her still pained skin.

Half a moment later he found himself covered in the wine he’d not accepted.

“that’s your warning.” She hissed. “now let me go.”

And he did, if you can call throwing her to the ground a release.

“Do you have any idea who I am!”

She glared up at him and rose to her feet with a surprising amount of grace. “a chauvinistic asshole with a bloated ego and a lack of respect for rules and consent.” She bit back.

He raised a hand and she glared, it wouldn’t be the first hit she’d taken in her life. But given the pressure he’d managed on her ass it would hurt like a bitch.

‘now look what you’ve done. You’re making a scene.’ 

She caught sight of Mira’s horrified expression out of her peripherals and wanted to curl up in guilt. But instead she straightened her shoulders.

“Are you going to hit a woman in front of a crowd?” she taunted, “Like a common brute?”

“No one here would stop me.” He sneered, his hand reared back, then sped towards her.

Jinx grappled for the table beside her. Specifically for the bottle of Ionian wine that had been left there to refill his drinks and raised it into his path. Letting the man’s hand collide with it and shatter it, leaving her grasping the neck as he cradled his hand, littered with glass shards.

She holds the bottle neck securely in her hand as she steps back, creating a path between him and the door. “I think you should get that checked.” She said with a frown. “you’re bleeding on the hard woods.”

“You fucking-“

“you heard the girl Finn.”

Jinx watched the colour drain from the man’s face as he looked past her.

“I’m sure Margot would love to know how you’re breaking the rules and threatening the girls in her pleasure houses.”

She watched the newly named ‘Finn’ grit his teeth as his eyes darted between her and the new speaker before finally he let out a sharp curse.

“you’re just a fucking whore.” He growled at her. “And a lap dog. Don’t get too full of yourselves.”

Jinx felt a heavy hand rest on her shoulder.

“I’m not a lap dog, I’m a fucking guard dog. And I will tear your head off if you don’t scram.”

“I’m a Chem-baron.” Finn scowled, cradling him bloody palm to his chest.

“Yeah.” The woman just behind her chuckled, humourlessly, “But you’re forgetting that Silco doesn’t like you. He wouldn’t give a shit if you were found dead in a junk heap come morning, not past the paperwork he’d have to fill out to have you replaced.”

Jinx finally looked at the new arrival that loomed over her, dark skinned and muscled, with short brown hair and a gloating expression. The most interesting attribute though was the metal prosthetic she wore.

The woman caught her looking and chuckled, “go get changed.” She said, “out of that wine covered thing. Put on a robe or something then join me for a drink.”

Jinx nodded absent mindedly as the woman released her steady grip and stepped in front of her to continue ripping into the man who’d caused all of these issues. 

“Mouser?” Jinx blinked at Mira’s hiss and drifted over to her.

“What the fuck were you thinking? Fucking with a chem-baron.”

Jinx frowned, “security wouldn’t help.”

Mira let out a strangled sound as she pulled jinx through the halls back to the change rooms. “That’s because he’s dangerous. He has his own burrow in this city and a gang that does his bidding. No one’s willing to fuck with him.”

Jinx frowned, “well maybe they should.”

Maybe she should… A few more blows to his ego, or at least to the place and things that gave him his status… the petty revenge seemed like a perfect test run.

“you’re just lucky Sevika was in tonight.” Mira hissed, “no one else would have come to help you, but she’s vicious and secure enough in her position that her boss won’t freak if Finn goes complaining to him.”

“Sevika?” Jinx asked, considering the woman that had come to her before. “I like her.” she grinned, reaching for the laces of her corset the moment they made it through the wardrobe doors. Then started rifling through the rack for something more comfortable.

Settling on a sheer bra with a lace overlay. It was a balconette and would barely cover her nipples but it looked more comfortable and less elaborate than a lot of the other things. It was a bonus that the matching panties were an actual brief that covered her ass.

“Change your stockings.”

Jinx blinked down at them and grimaced at the splatters up the side from when the wine bottle had broken and it’s contents had hit the floor.

“I made a big mess huh?” she asked rhetorically getting a snort.

“yes and no.” Mira answered, “the wine will be easy enough to fix. The scene was unpleasant…” she paused for a moment then chuckled, “but Finn is a dick, most of the people out there probably would have enjoyed watching him getting taken down a couple pegs.”

Jinx hummed and reached out for a soft silky robe and set it around her, leaving it open slightly.

“But you embarrassed a pretty powerful person in front of a crowd.”

Jinx frowned at the unspoken concern. “I’ll be fine.”

She could see in Mira’s expression that the other woman wasn’t completely convinced.