Chapter Text
Saturday, October 23 (Pt. 3)
Only a quarter of an hour after the party begins, The Last Drop is packed with people. Very, very loud people, most of whom are doing their level best to start out the night with as many free drinks as they can grab with their bare hands. You can’t even get close to the bar to talk to Cal, let alone see him over the sea of bodies. The Last Drip crew want to take shots, but since you don’t, you wander to the outskirts of the crowd as they throw themselves into the throng.
You don’t mind so much, as it gives you the opportunity to keep an eye on the staircase, where you hope to spot the mysterious visitors. And Sevika, who you believe knows exactly who those strangers are, and is probably up in the private lounge with Silco.
But your vigil is interrupted by Thomas and his wife.
Not that it's a bad interruption. You finally get to meet Ekko's stepmom, Mrs. T - Or Ming, as she's informally introduced. She looks to be in her mid fifties, very elegant, and is one of the tiniest human beings you’ve ever met. You assume she's a refined woman based upon the formality of her dress, but there’s a playful glint in her eye as she shakes your hand.
After a brief, shouted greeting they ask you to join them in a private alcove on the top floor. You accept gratefully, as it will get you up and out of the chaos that is the dance floor. And as an added bonus, it offers a clearer, more uninterrupted view of the stairs.
Thomas offers to get drinks, and leaves you alone with Ming. In a surprising move, she scooches around the bench seat to better speak with you.
“So, Tommy tells me that you have been getting to know our little Jinx.”
“Yes. Jinx is very… very special.”
“Indeed she is. And bold, with a penchant for mischief I think.”
You laugh. “Just like your step-son.”
“Ah yes. They are peas in a pod, those two. They will make a formidable match if they choose to fight through the trials of youth together.”
“I hope they do,” You answer sincerely. “I like Ekko a lot.”
“He’s a lot like Thomas.”
“Yes. And he seems to take things a lot more seriously than most kids his age.”
“Our little knight in shining armor,” She says fondly. “Though I don’t think Jinx’s father appreciates these finer qualities.”
“I think he'll come around, if you give Jinx enough time to work on him.”
“Though perhaps it is not Jinx who has the better powers of persuasion in this matter.”
“Yes. Time might be the best weapon they have.”
"But a woman could do the work much faster.”
She says it so bluntly that you spend a moment staring at her in surprise.
Does she know?
Her expression tells you that she was merely fishing, and is making a concerted attempt to read all the thoughts that are crossing your mind. You can't tell how many of them she catches, but she eventually smiles with a nod of satisfaction.
“Time is always a great mediator, of course, but the right woman can work wonders to change a man’s mind."
"So I hear."
"They need us, you see, to help them maintain a healthy, balanced perspective on life’s less black and white circumstances. You are now managing The Last Drip for him, yes?”
“Yes,” You reply, wary at the sudden change in topic. “Or I will be, soon. I have some experience in management so I know how to do the operations side, but Sevika and Silco still have to train me to fully take over the shop.”
“So you will be spending a lot of time with the boss.”
“Yes,” You answer carefully. “He’s very particular about how he wants things to be run.”
“And he believes you are the best qualified at carrying out his vision. That shows an awful lot of trust.”
“I just hope I’ll be able to live up to his expectations.”
“You are very modest,” She says approvingly, “If you weren’t more than capable, Silco would not have given you the job, I’m sure. The key to his success as a businessman is that he understands leadership, and how important it is to place the right people in particular roles. And I should know. I run several criminal justice attorney offices in Piltover county."
You smile widely. "So you're the one Ekko gets it from?"
"He has always known his own mind," She says proudly. "Though I may have taught him to direct his energy more pointedly so that he can make a real difference. It takes a courageous heart to pursue justice in the face of opposition, and Ekko has always loved finding the truth. And just as I saw and cultivated his natural inclinations, so Silco must see something within you that he wishes to cultivate. Your natural ability to lead, perhaps. Or your heart for hurting people.”
“I – Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.”
“It is the truth. Thomas has always spoken very highly of you, so I know he agrees.”
You don't know what to say in the face of such glowing praise, so you hope your grateful smile says it instead.
She takes your hand and pats it before she looks up and says, “Ah, speaking of my husband and son.”
Ekko is mounting the stairs with Thomas, and walking side by side you can see just how similar they really are. Their walks are in-sync, but while Thomas is swaggering in a classic suit, Ekko is more on Jinx’s level. He’s wearing an outfit reminiscent of urban sci-fi, with baggy cargo pants and a thin, form fitting cream top beneath an asymmetrical structured coat. He has a bag slung across one shoulder, with a drink in one hand and his riding helmet in the other.
He looks too cool for school, till he sees Ming wave at him, then he can’t hide his youthful grin. He raises his helmet in a nonchalant salute.
“Hey mama T.”
“Ekko of my heart. How was the drive over? You didn’t split any lanes I hope.”
“I promised I wouldn’t do that anymore, and I’ve been true to my word.”
“Good boy,” She says as she takes her drink from her husband’s hand. “You know our friend, of course.”
“Yeah.”
You twiddle your fingers at him. “Hey Ekko.”
“Hey,” he hands you a tall, glistening glass. “From Cal, with his compliments.”
“Oh!” You take it from him with a fond smile. “Thanks.”
You have no idea what it is, but after one sip you already approve. The ginger and lime pull through in a delicious tango.
“You look dressed to impress,” Ekko says.
“I could say the same to you.”
“Well I gotta show up when I step out with Jinx,” He says, with a flick of his coat collar. “Who’s your excuse?”
“Ekko,” Thomas scolds him. “Leave the lady alone.”
“Ladies do not need a reason to look their best,” Ming adds primly, mixing her exotic looking drink. “Though it does appear that you had someone in mind, considering all the care you’ve taken my dear.”
“Ming!” Thomas says with greater exasperation. “I’m sorry Ms. Ross, I promise I did not invite you up here for your love life to be interrogated by my family.”
"It’s alright," You wave your hand with a laugh, "I’m used to it."
He looks relieved, even as he takes his wife’s hand. “I also have to apologize, but my wife and I just got the summons to join Silco in his private lounge for dinner.”
“Oh, how lovely! And I don’t mind at all. Go, enjoy yourselves. It was nice talking to you Ming.”
“And you as well,” She says, allowing Thomas to raise her from the bench. “I look forward to continuing our conversation.”
“Absolutely.”
They leave arm in arm, but Ekko, surprisingly, remains.
He shifts from foot to foot, pretending not to look at you. The music is bumping just loud enough to keep the silence from being awkward, but as he lingers, you begin to suspect there’s a reason he hasn’t left the table yet.
You decide to save him the trouble of beginning the conversation.
“What’s up?”
“What’s up with what?”
“It looks like you have something to say.”
He shrugs. “Naw. But um… now that you mention it, I do have a few questions I’d like to ask you.”
There it is.
You wait patiently, playing with your drink straw as you watch him transfer his helmet from one hand to other. His eyes shift back and forth before he sits down across from you with a sigh.
“I’m not trying to be a pest or anything, I just need to know. What is your relationship with the big boss? For real?”
Coming out strong with the big guns.
You’ve been unconsciously anticipating this question, and you lean back to stare at him.
“Why do you want to know so badly?”
“It’s about the drug epidemic at school. Now Silco and I have never seen eye to eye on much, and he’s never given me any concessions. If I make a mistake, he’s on me hard. Until you came along."
He stares at you as if waiting for a denial, but you have none to give.
"Then the other day the Sheriff calls me out of class, and asks me to give a full testimony of my investigation.”
Your eyebrows shoot upward in surprise. “Really?”
“Yeah. And I’ve got permission to resume my campus events, so long as I’m ‘ more responsible about who’s invited to my little crusades’. ”
At this, he includes a gratuitous use of air quotes and an eye-roll.
“What makes you think I have anything to do with that?”
“I’m just doing some simple math. Plus Jinx lets things slip sometimes that make me wonder.”
You bite the inside of your cheek.
Of course Jinx wouldn’t think to censor herself with someone like Ekko.
“Ekko,” You say nervously, “I know you really like Jinx, but is there any other reason you…”
“No,” He says forcefully. “I don’t want to date her because it brings me closer to her daddy.”
“Then why do you want to date her?”
“I want to date her because… well I don’t know. Why does anybody want to date anybody? She’s a cool chick, and she’s got a big heart and… and she smells good.”
You laugh in surprise. “She smells good?”
“Yeah,” He rubs a hand across his neck with a rueful grimace. “And lots of other important things. She accepts me as I am and she respects my time. She doesn’t expect me to drop what I’m doing all the time just to hang out.”
“So you don’t want to hang out with her all the time?”
He looks slightly uncomfortable as he picks at a sticker on his helmet. “The way she’s all up in my head, I basically do see her all the time, even if it’s not in person.”
That haunting sounds familiar.
“Be that as it may,” You say instead. “I think Jinx would like to actually see you sometimes.”
“And I want to see her, but I’ve got things going on right now! Things that I’d like to get straightened out before I go all out and ask her to date me for real, for real.”
“Like what things?”
“The campus drug problem, for one. Which is what I actually came up here to discuss with you, before I was so cunningly redirected into talking about my feelings for Jinx.”
He gives you a look, and you laugh. “I didn’t do anything except ask you questions, and you outed yourself.”
He opens his mouth, then closes it, then looks at you as if he’s had a revelation.
“Damn. So that’s why Jinx calls you the reverse-uno card. ”
“Because I know how to ask questions?”
“Because you know how to redirect a question. That’s some therapist, Socratic method shit right there.”
“A bad habit I picked up from my mom.”
“Well I’m onto you, so it won’t work on me now.”
“That’s what they all say at first, but I still get them in the end.”
He grins. “And that’s how you work on Silco too, I bet.”
“You’ve had conversations with Silco. They’re more like debates.”
“Yeah, but while mine get me nowhere, yours actually get results.”
“You’re assuming I have a lot of conversations with Silco.”
“Don’t you?”
“Sure, but they’re mostly about business.”
“But not all?”
“Sometimes they’re about Jinx.”
“And?”
“And normal people things, occasionally.”
He leans back with folded arms. “Damn you’re good.”
You smile enigmatically. “So, what do you think I can help you with?”
“I need to know who was posting those fliers.”
“I don’t know.”
“I think you do.”
“I really don’t. I have nothing to do with the investigation.”
You engage in a staring contest, and he eventually gives a grudging nod. “Alright, fine, I believe you. But I’ll bet you’ve got some ideas.”
“I have an idea, but it’s more of a theory, and I don’t know how good it is.”
“I’ve got time.”
To demonstrate this, he whips a small pad of paper and a pen from one of his pockets. He flips open the pad and gives the pen a few unconscious spins between his fingers before posing it above the pad and looking at you with a look of great expectation.
You laugh, feeling suddenly silly to be discussing your completely unfounded theory with this serious boy. You’re also unsure about how wise it is to do so, considering the place and circumstances. But if Silco doesn’t take it very seriously, then what harm can it really do?
“Okay,” You fold your hands on top of the table. “I think Charles Rodriguez might have something to do with it.”
He frowns. “Charles Rodriguez? As in Finn’s arm candy, Charles?”
This is strange news to you, though not entirely surprising.
“Charles Rodriguez as in, ‘the until recently project manager of the brewery project’. I found him in Silco’s office one day, when he was out of town. He was rummaging around in his desk.”
“When was this?”
“I don’t remember exactly, but probably like… 2 weeks ago?”
“So after the incident at school.”
“Yeah.”
He scribbles something down as you continue.
“When Marcus told me what happened, I wondered if maybe they were connected, somehow. I thought maybe Charles was hoping to find a report about Marcus’ findings in Silco's desk.”
He nods. “Could be. Why didn’t Silco bust his ass for breaking in?”
“There was something wrong with the cameras at the time, so there was no proof he was ever there.”
Besides my word.
Excitement enters his eyes. “Just like at school.”
“Exactly.”
It’s clear the wheels in Ekko’s mind are turning as he does some more scribbling. You’re unsure if the fact that he’s giving your theory more consideration than Silco makes you feel more, or less, confident in its reality. But your misgivings are thrown out the window the moment you spy Sevika out of the corner of your eye. She’s standing at the top of the stairs, glaring at the crowd below.
“Excuse me for a second,” You say, and he nods distractedly as you rise from your seat.
Sevika doesn’t see you coming. “Hey.”
“What do you want?" She grunts. "I’m busy.”
She’s stressed. This might be a bad time.
Still, you hear yourself ask. “Who were those guys who went into Silco’s office earlier?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know you know, you just don’t want to tell me.”
“Exactly. Now buzz off. Actually no, stay. I might need you as a distraction.”
“Okay, but if you’re looking for Ekko, he’s with me.”
“I'm not, I’ve got other... Fuck!”
She grabs your arm with an iron grip and stomps down the stairs without further explanation. You squash a pained cry, biting your lip as she drags you through the crowd. But your destination soon becomes clear when you see Jinx standing, wide-eyed and comatose in front of a pink-haired girl wearing a tux.
Sevika releases your arm only to wrench the girl around to face her.
“Steinfeld!”
The look of surprise on the girl’s heart-shaped face – for the merest moment – reminds you of Jinx. But the resemblance disappears as soon as it’s replaced by a debonair smirk.
“Hiya Vik. Funny meeting you here.”
“How the hell did you get in?”
“I have my ways.”
Sevika’s fists clench. Jinx makes a strange noise, and you dodge around Steinfeld’s look of extreme interest to gently grasp Jinx’s face.
“Hey, are you alright?”
It’s a good sign that she responds to your touch, if only by grabbing at your hands with desperation.
“Do you see her too?”
You hold her hands more securely, and brush your thumbs soothingly along the back of them. “Yes, I see her.”
She shifts her moon-eyed gaze to stare into your face. “Good. I thought she was a ghost and I was finally going crazy. Ha ha ha…”
“Get her out of here,” Sevika grinds, and you don’t need any more prompting.
As you slip your arm across her shoulders, you catch Ekko watching the commotion from above. “Come on Jinx, let’s go see Ekko.”
“Ekko’s here.”
“Yes, he’s here. And he’s upstairs. Do you want to see him?”
She nods, wordlessly. She allows you to guide her without resistance.
Just before the gap in the crowd closes you off from what’s sure to be a tense situation, you hear tuxedo girl say, “So that your girlfriend, or the nanny? I’m guessing hired help. I wouldn’t expect you to land such a hot piece of ass for yourself…”
You navigate the crowd with difficulty, but eventually reach the bottom of the stairs. Before you even have a chance to make the first step, Ekko’s there. He opens his arms and she turns to him immediately, burying her face into his shoulder.
“Hey Pow Pow,” He says gently. “You doin’ alright?”
“I just saw a ghost,” Is her stiff, muffled reply. “But Toots saw her too, so she’s probably real.”
“Who’d you see?” He prompts.
“Vi. Vi stands for… stands for vice. Or vicious. Or violence...”
She shivers, and Ekko tucks her more securely into his arms.
“Shit,” He mutters.
“Who’s Vi?” You ask quietly.
“Her sister. She’s supposed to be dead. At least, that’s what Silco told her.”
You exchange grim looks.
“Take Jinx to the booth and stay there," You say. "I need to make a call.”