Scrapyard Angels Act 1 Chapter 20

The light above the clouds was almost blinding. Past the haze of the factories below and the looming shadow of the cliff upon which Zaun had sunk in, and subsequently built upon, there was nothing stopping the light from shining brightly up in the sky.

I parted the thick cloudy haze with my form, erupting from it and leaving vortices of smoke and smog as I ascended high in the sky.

I could barely hear the cries of Piltovans from the rushing of the wide as they scrambled for cover from my sudden appearance and almost ghostly way of flight. I saw people pointing up at the sky, up towards me, as I leveled out just above the roofs tops of some of the higher building

I shielded my eyes as they got used to the glare of the surface city and slowed down considerably. I was way too used to the gloom of the underground and now I had to acclimate to the light. The last time I went up to the surface, the sun was already setting but now the sun was at its peak.

I also dare not go any higher in fear of hitting the giant sky ships that flew above, floating thanks to their giant balloons and propelled by giant propellers. I might be a flier but I knew all too well what happens if I hit them. It will not end well for either of us if I hit anything too sensitive. I wasn't too keen to becoming too bird like

The low altitude and slow speed did allow me to gaze upon the denizens of Piltover. I waved on them as some scattered like mice while others gazed up in wonder. I flew down lower, slowing down even further as I took a closer look

Children chased after me, pointing up at me and wondering if they could fly as well from the look of their eyes. They couldn't keep up but it was fun just watching them trying to catch up. It was honestly breathtaking seeing them up above.

I might have caused a slow down in the traffic and almost caused an accident as the various carriages and trams slowed down at the sight of my flying form.

I didn't have to go above ground but I think I had a place to go. I could spend some gold, especially with how close Jinx's birthday was. I swoop down down low, hovering above the street before slowly descending in front of a bakery

People gave me a wide berth as they talked among themselves but I didn't give them too much attention. I don't mind you, you don't mind me, easy no? I haven't broken any law right? Hopefully I didn't need a license or anything.

I think I have not landed in any place that is affluent but it was hard to guess especially when almost everything in Piltover looks so luxurious and clean.

Making sure I tucked my wings close, I walked inside the bakery. I actually wish I could take off my mask to give the place a smell but it was a pain to place my mask back on.

Of course there was a line. I just resigned myself as I stood behind a girl with dark blue? purple hair? around my age. It seems that what was in Zauns water might also be in Piltover as well.

I couldn't help but look back, hoping I didn't attract any unwanted attention. I just grimaced as there seems to be a crowd now outside.

Even the customers inside the building couldn't help but stare at me. I was a semi dirty looking kid with a bird mask. Of course they'd stare right? Thankfully the line moved quickly and they didn't give me much trouble, the other customers that is.

My line was boring, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as I stood in line. An almost constant buzz now rang inside my ear. It was a pervasive feeling I couldn't help but shake off. I almost didn't notice that it was almost my turn.

"Ah, Young Kate, it's good to see you again! The usual I assume?" Asked the baker behind the counter. I only assumed it was the baker with the whole get up of an apron and that white hat that almost every chef or baker wore.

"Yes Mr Brie!" Said the young girl in front of me. The white haired baker chuckled as he reached down and pulled out a cupcake for the young girl.

After receiving the treat and paying for it, she turned around and gave me a good scare as she jumped in fright at my sight. She threw the cupcake in fright but I was quick enough to grab it before it was ruined.

"Pardon me" I replied as I gave her back the cupcake. She seem to become a bit more relaxed after I spoke

"O-oh, that's ok. You just gave me a scare, that's all. Maybe a bit less black?" She replied as she gave me an awkward smile. Darn it, I should have probably allowed Jinx to color my stuff but I might look like a parrot afterwards.

"Noted" I replied. She apologized before going out.

The baker was staring at me, a bit uneasily but not hostile. Remembering what I was here for, I asked "How much was that cupcake?"

He gave me a price and I gave him the exact amount. It was Zaunite coins but it was still accepted here it seems as he relaxed. Might be because I was actually a customer. The price was a bit steep but I could technically afford it

"Would you like it packaged?" He asked

"... How much?" I really didn't want to pay anymore than necessary but its not like I have a choice if I wanted an intact cupcake

His features softened before he shook his head. "Oh, I don't really charge for the packaging. It helps customers come back you see"

I nodded appreciatively before confirming it. He sneaked in a cinnamon bread stick before giving it to me. "On the house"

What a nice man. I gave him my thanks before leaving the bakery. I was almost forgot the crowd in front of the bakery as I was greeted by a circle of curious onlookers

I was immediately assaulted by what I think was a hex tech microphone. The buzz came back stronger than ever before as I looked up at the strange man who forced his way through the crowd

"Piltover Journal over here! Young girl, Amazing flying skills you got there! The University sure are recruiting them younger each day! So what can you tell us about your flying machine! How far can it fly, how high can it fly! When will we see them in the market! Are you affiliated with Clan Ferros!"

I was assaulted by even more journalists as more of them forced their way into the crowd. My world felt like it was spinning as they trusted their recording device at me, my ears ringing as I could see the individual slowly dimming pulses of color inside the crystal.

I couldn't take it any longer. I pushed them back before spreading my wings. The crowd reared back at the sudden extension of the wings giving me ample time to make my escape. I flew away as fast as I could dare. Everything looked like a blur as I headed straight back to the cliffs.

The ringing only get louder and louder until the sweet bliss of silence came back as I dove back into the cloud. I breathed in a sigh of relief as found myself in the safety of Zaun once more

I didn't spend too much exploring afterwards, heading back to my launch site to find Jinx and Vi waiting for me. I didnt told them about the incident as I gave them the loot I had from the city above.

I wanted to chalk off the incident from above as nothing more than what it was, an isolated incident but I felt like it wasn't going to be. I just hope it doesn't become a problem for me later on.

The problems I had yesterday were quickly forgotten as I headed back into the grind. The exams were just two days away and I could already feel the pressure. The doubt was creeping in and even the heat of the Cultivair couldn't distract me from it. A month had already passed and now the day of judgement was just around the corner

It was then while I listened to the droning of my co-workers that Miss Carmen called me to her office. The walk up had been a rather familiar affair after all that had happened but the display of wealth always got to me. It was their overt way of showing it, the way they hung their paintings and placed their various works on pedestals that drew my eyes. Will I ever have these?

Making sure I was tracking mud through the floor, I entered the room. Miss Carmen was sitting at her table while Corina stood beside her, writing stuff.

"Ah Mister Ark. I assume the vanilla plants are growing well?"

"They are Miss Carmen. The pods have been growing nicely. We'll have a good harvest near the end of this year"

"Good good. Now I don't have to remind you that the exams for the College is coming soon" the reminder of studying well was left unspoken. Of course with the free time I had, I had time to try and remember some of the stuff that I was taught with, mitochondria and all that.

"Yes Miss Carmen"

She nodded before reaching from beneath her table. I tensed, wondering what it was before tilting my head in confusion as she pulls out a familiar looking pouch

"Your Monthly allowance Mr Ark…" she slowly drawled out as she stared at me in confusion and disbelief. "Have we been not clear about this?"

"No" I lied naturally, unwilling to let them think they were in the wrong.

"Go on then, take your allowance. Please tell me at least you have been eating well?" She asked in concern as she massaged her temple. I hastily nodded as I took my allowance.

My income now far exceeds what most families down at the sump could afford. I felt a bit stupid at being to paranoid about fearing that this would be a one off thing. The more you learn I suppose.

I didn't stay inside my boss' office for long to avoid giving her more headaches. Yes she might care for us workers but I wouldn't want to test how far her patience can last if some of my other questionable decisions come to light.

I came back home with a meal fit for a king. I had a large chunk of cheese, some cured meat and a loaf of bread to eat it on. It was a surprise for Vi and Jinx but a welcome surprise as they ate in gusto. Meat was always the bearer of good news

Jinx much more so as she gobbled up her sandwich and asked for more. Thankfully we still had some bread from yesterday or we would have to deal with a hangry Jinx.

"Wait, you're seriously getting an allowance from them?" Vi asked in disbelief as she counted the gold coins given to me

Jinx was busy giving Whump and Floofington some bits of her bread. Yeah they do eat other things but it's not bad to give them a treat from time to time.

"Yup! I think we could actually afford an apartment"

"If we get this every month…" Vi mused before a smile bloomed across her face. "We could actually do it! We'll have an actual roof over our heads!"

"Running water, a bedroom for all of us, and maybe a bathroom"

"Woah woah there, let's not get ahead of ourselves there" Vi jokingly said before she chuckled out in joy. "It's just, wow things are moving so fast"

"If we could find another place, we'll be much closer to our work and maybe Jinx could have some friends to play with even" Sure she's close to our age but it's best if she had other people to talk to. Another Cindy for her would be a boon in making her childhood a bit happier.

"You know, I think I'll miss this place" Vi said as she looked around our room. The room had gone a long way since they moved in. Simple furniture, an actual bed and a workplace for my tech.

"Yeah but maybe it'll be for the better?" I hazard a thought. I really wanted this to work. There was just something about having an actual house to live in

"Where should we start looking though? I'm kind at a lost here" Vi replied

"Let's go check on Bob tomorrow? Maybe he knows a place or two"

"Yeah, lets"

Talking to Bob about finding an apartment was the best thing we ever did. He plotted several places on the map and showed us good places to find apartments in. How he knew all this was a bit of a mystery and he was cryptic about it when we asked how so we didn't pursue any further.

All we had to do after we picked and chose was go up there and tell them Bob sent us. I had a feeling that Bob had done this before and considering he gave fair prices to Sump Scrapers who dumped their salvage here, it wouldn't be much of a surprise.

We spent a day exploring and scouting each place to narrow down the choice. We made a choice that the apartment shouldn't be too far away from the Service Tunnels. Cutting ourselves off from it would be unwise.

Vi groaned out as she stared at the map, wondering which should we pick. We had a lot of places to choose from and all of us had different opinions. What we have in common is where we want it close to.

"If you're not going to pick, let me pick? I say here!" Jinx shouted as she pointed at one of the dots. I ruffled her hair at her enthusiasm

"I know you're excited but we have to take our time deciding about our new home." i explained to her but she pouted at that

"But it's so boring! I want to know what happened to Luke next in the Cloud City of Bespin!" Jinx whined but I appeased her with more head pats

"Maybe we could chose this one?" I pointed at one of the marked areas. It was a good compromise between Vi's work area and mine as well as being a bit closer to the College of Techmaturgy. With my flight, I won't even need to use the public transport.

"Isn't this a bit further from the Veraza Cultivair and the College?" I nodded at Vi's question. It was a compromise after all

"Yeah, it's a bit further but hey? Its not being rocked by the attacks which is good right?"

Those attacks had been a pain and I started avoiding riding under the carriages in fear that those might get attacked. Best to just fly to work everyday.

Vi seems a bit deep in thought, frowning before her eyes seems to lit up in determination. "Ark… I think it's time I quit my Job"

"Didn't you like the job?" I asked. The pay was good, were things getting hot now?

"Nah, it's just that maybe I could get some change of pace. Running from place to place through the tunnels can be hectic you know" I couldn't help but agree with her. Message running was a demanding job after all

"Besides, I could always find a job close wherever we go. Who knows, maybe the Cultivair would need another garden hand" Vi said with a grin

"You'd kill a lot of plants" I jokingly teased her as Vi pushed me in mock anger

"I will not! I swear I could make those flower blooms by just being there!"

We laughed at our little fight before Vi broke the silence. "But yeah, since we're moving up the ladder, maybe it's time we go completely clean. Maybe in a few years time after you graduate, we could move to the Promenade''

"But that's still a few years off. Anything could happen" I whispered

"So it's up to us to make it a reality then. It's not like my next job would be any less lucrative right?" Vi asked

Maybe I could go ask Miss Carmen if there's any job opening in any other Veraza owned business… during a good time of course

"If your doing your best to give us the best chance to get to Piltover, it's time I do my best as well"

I grinned as I leaned forward to give her a kiss but Jinx was quick to stop any show of affection from happening by using her hands to block our lips. "Uh uh! Pick an apartment first! And ew!"

That's what you get for stopping our kiss Jinx, that's what you get but she did make a good point we had to choose an apartment first. We eventually landed on one but by that time, Jinx had long since dozed off.

Vi and I decided to just stay outside for a while and watch the glittering buildings of Zaun from our little hole in the ground.

"Hey Ark, I'm just going to go to work tomorrow. Just tell my boss that I'm quitting. I don't want to leave so suddenly. I don't want it biting our ass, you know?" Vi said

"Yeah, best to leave on good terms I suppose?" Maybe life in a gang isn't that too far off from that of a company. It's something I'd just content myself in imagining. I just don't like associating with small-scale criminal elements. Best to do it with the legitimate ones and in power.

"Yeah wish me luck?"

"Wait, did you borrow money from your boss?"

Vi chuckled before shaking her head. "Nah, I'm not suicidal."

"Don't worry about it Vi. Everything will be fine"

"Yeah, everything is going fine huh?"

"Yeah it is" We spent the night holding hands. It was peaceful, my only wish was it lasted just a bit longer

The day after started off like any other day. Just a day like any other but the Grey had descended today coating everything in a thick slimy fog. We had to wear our masks even in our homes.

"Hey Vi, take care"

"You worry too much Ark, don't worry about it. I'll be back before sunset" Vi replied as she pulled me into a hug.

I kissed Vi and Jinx goodbye, pulling my mask off quickly before placing them back on, much to the latter protest before I went off to work. Vi went off to her work for the final time while I flew off to tend to the gardens of the Cultivair. I watched her retreat from disappearing into the fog which almost looked like they swallowed her whole.

Things were all going smoothly, until it wasn't. Problems usually don't start off with a bang but rather a feeling of unease that only grew steadily as the days went on. Such was what I felt that day as I went to work. There was a looming sense of dread that hung in the air with the fog. Was it the cold silence and hushed whispers of the people as they milled around the fog or was it their shadowy forms as the smog made seeing hard

The Grey had always been the Harbinger of bad news. It was after all what made people sick or so the people say. What it brought was only sickness and despair as even what meager light that slipped down in the eternally dark city was snuffed out and the lamps illuminating only the immediate vicinity.

I flew across the buildings of Zaun, taking my time to go to work. Up here, I could barely see a thing yet the familiar thumps and cracks of explosions and gunfire in the Veraza territory had gone silent. It was quite, almost too quiet.

I felt something was off despite the day being the most peaceful day we had in the Veraza territory for a while. I chalked it off as nothing more than pre-exam anxiety. After all, it was tomorrow but it kept bugging me, worming away at me.

"Hey, a quiet day isn't it huh?" One of my co-workers said, I wasn't too much in the mood to do some chit chat but it could take the edge off my mood.

"Must be the Grey. No one wants to go out when the air itself is trying to kill you. Way to cold as well"

"Huh, it makes sense though, eh?" He replied as he went off to water another spot

The pervasive silence continued for the day, growing my unease. The cold air that blows every time the grey descends helps a little but the Grey was stubborn and seemed like it would stay for the night.

It wasn't until I went back home did I realize what was amiss. I came back home to find only Jinx playing with Whump and Floofington. Vi wasn't here.

"Hey Jinx, bought you something" I said as I tossed her a bun. It was one of those sweet loaves of bread but I did not dare buy any white ones. I didn't want to eat plaster nor should Jinx

"Gimme!" Eating in the Grey was almost an art form. One needs to be quick if you don't want its coiling grasp fill your lung

I sat down to ease my weary form. I was tired and almost defeated but still strong. All I need was her and Jinx

"Hey Jinx, have you seen Vi?" I asked.

Jinx shook her head in negative as she answered back. "Nah, haven't seen her since morning".

"She's probably looking for a job." I replied. I almost felt like it was a lie to myself as I stared at our door. The fabric separating us from the tunnel ahead fluttered through the unseen breeze.

Seconds stretched to minutes and minutes turned to hours. I went through the motions of our day as I taught Jinx before continuing our current ad we didn't have Vi to join us in the tunnels below but my sight never strayed far from the door.

The bells of the Old Hungry soon tolled, the heavy reverberating toll of its bells and the grinding of its gears sounding so much louder today. It was already past midnight and still she wasn't here. Where was Vi?