Chapter Text
It has been an exhausting day at your college, but after 4 long hours of listening to critiques of 50 other people’s work, you finally were free to go home. You came out of the classroom last, tired and overwhelmed by the hot and humid summer weather. As you approached the exit, you were surprised to find a new addition to the building. ‘A new door’, you thought, ‘probably leads to the auditorium’. You opened it to find not the auditorium, but an exterior view. It was dark and grimy, and ‘definitely not the outside of this place' as you muttered to yourself. Your curiosity got the best of you, and you stepped through the door. A foolish idea, really, because when you finally finished looking around, the door was gone.
Wow. What a common cliché. You should have seen it coming.
Still, waiting outside would do nothing, as it always takes forever for portals to reappear in these kinds of stories. You took a deep breath and set out exploring. That was your goal before you passed.
The air was heavy and for the first time, you could actually smell the pollution. And you thought your city had it bad. You passed blinding neon lights and stalls that sold food and all kinds of trinkets. You could hear the failing engine of a car nearby, mixed with the loud, intangible chatter of merchants and passers-by when you spotted someone around your age. “Excuse me,” you said as you struggled to make your way towards him, “Kind of a silly question, but could you tell me what is this place?” you smiled. Silence. “Sure…” He smirked. “Come with me”. That silence can’t be good. You started to look around as you realized what was happening. “Um, you know what? I just remembered. Gosh, I just can’t seem to recognize places when I go on a walk in new ways! Isn’t that funny? Anyway tha-” you felt a gun pressing into your stomach. “Come quietly or you’re dead.” He walked around you until he positioned the gun against your lower back. “Start walking” he commanded. “NOW.”
You had no choice but to comply until you reached an alleyway. “So, what is it?” you half-chuckled. “Rape or robbery?” you tried to keep a calm front, although your uneven breathing exposed your fear. “Shut up.” The guy said. He walked to face you. “Give me your money.” “Oh! The better option!” You chuckled nervously. “Okay, that’s cool. We can handle this like adults.” You removed your backpack from one shoulder – “even though my money will have no use to you, since, you know, I’m not from here” “SHUT. THE FUCK. UP.” “Ok, ok, just let me–“ Smack! The thief fell backward after the effective hit from your backpack. You ran back to the main street you came from as quickly as you could, squeezing between and brushing upon shoulders. You weren’t very fast, but if you could just blend with the crowd, you could- “WATCH IT!” “Sorry!” you blurted to the girl you bumped into. You were just ready to leave as you felt metal brushing on your body. Again. Is that a machine gun?!
“WHY does EVERYBODY in this place have a gun?” you groaned. “I dunno toots. Why do you keep getting in the way of the people with the guns?”
You looked towards the source of the voice. The girl beside you hopped off the box she fell onto, and her long blue braids quickly followed. Jinx. “Well, in my defense, the last time I was just asking for directions. I didn’t know he had a gun.” You said. At least you knew where you were now. “You dress weird” What’s more ordinary than jeans and a t-shirt? “Um… okay?” Blue eyes. It’s mid time skip or act 2. “You’re not from here, are you? You’re too clueless not to know to shut up” you smiled nervously at her. “And you clearly don’t know who I am” Oh, you knew. You knew every little detail. “You know what? Since you’re not from here, I’ll let it slide.” She moved her weapon away from you and started walking. “Go home, Clueless.” When she was a few steps away, you could only whisper. “If I could, I would.”
**********
Being a portrait street artist was your best option to earn money.
With no “employees wanted” signs in sight, and a lot of pointless asking random store owners for a job, the only practical skill you could use here was drawing. That is, if you didn’t want to resort to prostitution. Only the thought of that gave you shivers.
With the few blank printer paper pages you forgot to take out of your bag at the beginning of the semester (thank God) and the pencils in your pencil case, you managed to get 3 meals at Jericho’s every day for the past two days, with a couple coins aside to buy new paper when necessary. The question “Would you like me to draw a picture of you?” just started to become unbearable for you, when you heard a shout coming from the ally around the corner. Without thinking, you ran to help, even though at Zaun, if you’re weak, you must not run to help.
That is when you saw Jinx again, screaming and crying and kicking whatever was around. You must have made a noise because the next thing you knew was Jinx pointing her gun at you, eyes teary and breathing heavily. “It’s okay, it’s okay” you put your hands in the air to show that you were unarmed. Tears continued to roll down Jinx’s cheeks, her lip trembling. “It’s fine” you carefully approached her “Just breathe.” Another step. “Just… breathe in for as long as I count, ok? It helps.” Hopefully. “Ok? Breathe in – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.” She took a breath. “Now out – 2,3,4,5.” She lowered her gun. It worked! “Now again. In – 1,2,3,4,5” you came closer. “Out -2, 3, 4, 5.” “It was a mistake” you heard her whisper, “it was a mistake”. You put your hand on her shoulder. “I believe you”, you said, “but right now, I need you to focus on your breathing. Can you do that?” She nodded. “Good. In – 2, 3, 4, 5 – out – 2,3,4,5. In…”
After Jinx calmed down a little, you two went to get your stuff and then to get something to eat. “Hey Jericho, give me and my friend 2 of – what do you like?” you turned to Jinx. “this” she pointed to one of the dishes on the menu written on the wall. Good, that’s cheap. “2 of my usual and 2 glasses of water” You finished. “Ew, you don’t drink the water in restaurants, it’s from the river, it’s toxic, Clueless!” “Then what DO you drink?” Jinx smiled at you. “… Apple juice.” “Then make it 2 glasses of apple juice, Jericho!”.
While you were waiting, Jinx turned to you. “You’re not my friend,” she said, “I threatened you with a gun.” “It’s a figure of speech” you answered. “Besides, do you want free food or not? I could use that money you know”. She laughed. “I do love free food.”