Chapter Text
Evelynn was sleeping on her bed peacefully when someone came to shake her. A little too rough for her liking.
"Eve, we have a problem," Akali said, shaking Evelynn to get her awake.
"Darling, it's a Saturday. What could possibly be wrong right now?"
"You remember the dumplings we bought last night?"
"Yes dear, I remember them. What about it?"
". . . . We might have an actual Dumplynn in the house."
That got Evelynn awake and scowling. "Really Kali? A pun at this time of the day?"
Akali's face remained firm and concerned. "No, seriously Eve. We have a Dumplynn."
"Enough with your dumpling jokes, Akali. I'm tired of them. Tell that to Bokkie—"
"DUMPLING, PLEASE STOP!" Evelynn and Akali turned their heads towards the voice. It was Kai'sa's voice. Evelynn's scowl immediately disappeared. Something fell down and broke, which echoed around the house. That got Evelynn up and running immediately down, with Akali following her closely.
Evelynn arrived in the kitchen, where she believed the sound came from. Upon her arrival, she was greeted at the sight of Kai'sa a few feet away from a small white mass with lashers seemingly like Evelynn's own. Kai'sa had her shoulder cannons out, although it seemed that it appeared out of adrenaline than a threat since Kai'sa tried to approach the white mass. However, the white mass swiped their lasher at Kai'sa, who backed away immediately to dodge.
It was a sight, to say the least.
Akali came up behind Evelynn. "Bokkie . . . ?"
"Kali, help me out!" Kai'sa yelled at her.
At this, the white mass turned to Evelynn and Akali. Evelynn finally had a good look at the white mass. It was indeed a sentient dumpling, with sunglasses, lipstick, and hair buns (if they were even that) very much like her own when she was dressed up for MORE's music video.
A dumpling who looked very much like her, seemingly out for blood and murder.
Evelynn groped her forehead. "Please tell me this is a dream, Kali."
"Nope. It's real."
Evelynn groaned. Of course this was real.
The dumpling dropped their lashers. They were looking at Evelynn, not with a threat. Rather, with a blank expression.
"She's—she's looking at you," Akali said as she hugged Evelynn from behind.
The dumpling hopped towards Evelynn. Evelynn remained still on her spot, looking at them hop with all the incredulity she felt towards them.
The dumpling stopped at a few inches away from Evelynn's feet and looked up at her. Evelynn kept her gaze at the little dumpling that was in front of her now. Despite her incredulity at the bizarreness of it all, Evelynn removed Akali's arms around her waist and crouched to get to the dumpling's level. She raised a finger towards the dumpling, who strangely didn't back away at the gesture. Evelynn hesitantly poked the dumpling, who flinched a little at the contact. Evelynn stroked the dumpling with such carefulness before she withdrew her hand to open her palms. The dumpling was a little hesitant at first, but eventually hopped to Evelynn's palms albeit still on guard.
Evelynn raised her palms to her face, now face-to-face with the sentient dumpling. They kept their gaze at each other, as if they're regarding each other closely.
After what felt to be a long, intense scrutiny, Akali whispered, "Eve . . . ?"
Evelynn didn't break her eye contact with the dumpling but still addressed her.
"Living room, now."
Akali helped Kai'sa clean up the mess in the kitchen while Evelynn kept the dumpling company when she moved to the living room. Eventually, everyone else but Ahri were in the living room, where they were sitting together on one couch facing the coffee table where the dumpling sat. They were tense, not knowing how to begin. Eventually, Akali spoke.
"Sooo . . . Dumplynn."
Kai'sa groaned. "Akali, no. We're not calling it that."
Akali frowned at Kai'sa. "Hey, it's not nice to call her an it, Bokkie."
"It's a living dumpling, Akali!"
"I refuse to let someone misgender her!"
"It just happens to be a living dumpling that looks like Eve. And secondly, are we even supposed to give it a name and assume its gender?"
"I mean, she's basically Eve but a dumpling, right? Might as well name her after Eve and assume she uses the same pronouns as her. She's like a baby Eve, and a cutie at that." Akali reached out to touch the dumpling, but was met with a glare. Akali immediately withdrew her hand. "Who could kill us if she desired," she added.
"Even if we were to use pronouns, I don't think we're supposed to assume anything . . . ."
The two stopped their bickering and looked back at the dumpling, who was laying there with a neutral expression. After a short silence, Evelynn asked, "So . . . what happened?"
"So we ate most of the dumplings last night, right?" Akali said.
"Yes, most of you ate it all," Evelynn replied.
"Yeah, so there was a leftover dumpling from last night. Which is this dumpling." Akali gestured to the sentient dumpling on the table.
"Akali and I were going to share the last one when they suddenly changed and sprouted lashers," Kai'sa added, crossing her arms. "And well, you saw what happened at the kitchen."
"Hm, I didn't take you to be the sharing food type," Evelynn teased as she glanced at Akali.
"Wow Eve. I wouldn't go that low. You hurt me." Akali placed a palm at her chest, feigning hurt. "I'll always share food with a bro."
"Eyyy, bro," Kai'sa's raised a hand towards Akali for a low five, which Akali accepted and slapped. Even Evelynn couldn't help but let a small smile crack through her face. They still love each other, despite heated exchanges every now and then. However, her smile didn't last long when she looked back at the dumpling, who was eyeing her.
How was she supposed to deal with this?
"Where's Ahri?" Evelynn asked.
"She's sleeping," Kai'sa answered.
"Why isn't she awake?"
"We should let her sleep, Eve. She's been really stressed out lately."
"That might explain why she ate most of the dumplings last night," Akali said. Suddenly, Akali had a realization. "Oh no."
"What is it, Kali?" Kai'sa asked. She didn't like the worry etched on Akali's face.
"Think about it. We basically murdered Dumplynn's companions, right?"
"I suppose you could say that," Kai'sa said hesitantly. "What does this have to do with Ahri?"
"Well—"
"Good morning everyone! Or afternoon, I think." Ahri strolled into the living room. "I dunno what time it is—"
Suddenly, a white lasher was coming at Ahri's direction. Ahri immediately jumped away at the lasher, which was ready to pierce her body. Kai'sa immediately grabbed the dumpling's lashers to prevent them from hurting Ahri, but then the lashers thrashed about which made Kai'sa grip the lashers harder. The lashers tried to sting her but Kai'sa kept dodging the hits, with some of them almost hitting her. Akali went to Ahri to check if she's okay. Ahri was on the floor, crouching away from the lashers and Kai'sa.
Evelynn, tired of all the nonsense happening, sighed and approached the dumpling and tapped them to face her. The dumpling turned to her angrily, with their lashers still fighting with Kai'sa. Evelynn kept her hard gaze at the dumpling, as if quietly ordering the dumpling to stop. Just like before, she and the dumpling were trapped in a staring contest. However this time, it felt like they were in a trance; in a weird space where only they were present.
As if sensing her feelings, the dumpling eased and withdrew their lashers from Kai'sa. Evelynn gave a small sigh and picked up the dumpling into her palms. She then patted the dumpling, which further eased the dumpling.
Kai'sa looked over at Ahri and Akali, who were just as surprised as her. How did Eve . . . ? Kai'sa thought. We need answers.
Akali had Ahri caught up to speed on what's happening while Evelynn had continued to ease the dumpling somehow. Now, everyone was at a living room, sitting together on one couch with Eve in the center. They were all silent, looking at the dumpling on Evelynn's palms. Finally, Ahri broke the silence.
"Alright dumpling, what's your deal with us?
The dumpling glared at her with a murderous intent in their eyes, which Ahri matched as well.
"I'm wondering why they're not attacking Eve," Kai'sa said, looking at the dumpling.
"You're wondering about that? I'm more curious that Eve hasn't killed her or something," Akali replied. She gestured at Evelynn with both her hands. "I mean, Eve isn't usually like . . . this."
Ahri looked at Evelynn, maintaining her glare. "That's so unfair. How come Eve isn't targeted?"
"Well, Eve didn't eat any of the dumplings, right?" Akali asked.
Kai'sa hummed in approval, then widened her eyes. "Ohh, that could explain why they attacked us then."
"Oh so I'm the most hated person in the room, then? For murdering most of their family?" Ahri said while gesticulating with her arms in exasperation. "It's food. I need to eat."
"To think you ate so many. You're usually so particular with our diet, Ahri," Akali said.
"I'm stressed and depressed, Akali."
"Touche."
"So, what do we do now?" Kai'sa asked.
Everyone immediately went silent at the question. They hadn't really thought about it until now, what with the banter, bickering, and mess that occurred earlier. Each member contemplated on what to do. There was a sentient dumpling in their home, after all. After much contemplation, Evelynn spoke.
"I say we keep them here for the time being."
"What?!" Ahri and Kai'sa said.
"Really?! We get to keep her?!" Akali beamed with so much joy and excitement at the prospect.
"Are you crazy? This dumpling tried to kill me!" Ahri gestured all over herself.
"It's the best we can do for now," Evelynn replied.
"But Eve, even if we keep them here, how are we supposed to take care of a living dumpling?" Kai'sa asked.
"We'll just figure it out as we go! Right Eve?" Akali asked, still smiling widely.
"That is if they don't kill us!" Kai'sa answered, gritting her teeth at Akali. Akali shifted away from her anger.
"Enough with the bickering!" Evelynn said loudly.
Everyone looked at her. Feeling that she has everyone's attention, Evelynn continued. "Look, I don't like this either. But until we figure everything out, we're going to let them stay here for a while." She eyed Ahri when she said the next words. "Whether you like it or not."
Ahri fumed, but didn't say anything further. A moment later, she deflated and rested on the backrest. So much for getting rid of the dumpling then . . . .
Kai'sa exasperatedly sigh as she rested on the backrest. "Good luck to us, then . . . "
"Oohhh, this will be fun!" Akali beamed, grinning so much that she seemed like the sun burning brightly.
Evelynn was still uncertain on how things will go from here, but surely it wouldn't be that bad, right?
Who knows . . . .
"If I see that dumpling try to kill me in my sleep, that's it. I'm kicking them out."
Hopefully nothing goes wrong.