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How they managed to actually sneak into Piltover was a mystery, but it set Powder on edge being in the big city without Vi or any of the older kids. Especially when the enforcers were all over the place, two little kids from the undercity would stick out of the fancy streets like a sore thumb. It was a risk, but honestly? Kind of exhilarating.
Ekko had told her of a big shop he had found while following someone that came into Benzo's, he didnt ask why they were there, but if this was the fruition that came from it? He wasn't going to inquire.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Powder whispered to him as they snuck into the shop, which was owned by an older gentleman with a slump, he looked to be hard of hearing, so at least they had that to their advantage. They snuck through the door, hiding behind a tall shelf cluttered with small and large trinkets that was more than likely priced too high than what they were worth.
It was pretty empty when it came to people, But when it came to old antiques and smaller machinery? It was filled to the brim. There was gold and metal all over the shelves which were lined up wall to wall. Even the wall where the counter was had much bigger machine projects, more than likely the more expensive ones too. But not only was it filled with so many shiny inventions, there was also the overwhelming sound of clocks ticking and soft music from smaller music boxes all around.
But in a way, all of the sounds had a beautiful ring to them. Kind of calming compared to the shouting and screaming in the undercity. Just goes to show how well the Pilties had it up here.
"Well–No. But the guy is half blind and deaf, he won't know we were even here! 'Sides, They can't arrest us for just looking can they?" Ekko whispered back to her, peeking in-between the shelves to see where the older man was.
He was shuffling around the counter, moving some things around to tidy up the place. Or at least tidy up as much as he could with the clutter. He had his back turned to them, so they were in the clear so far.
"Well.. I guess not.." Powder mumbled, glancing back towards the front door of the shop, which was thankfully wide open, welcoming to any guests. It was easier for access in and out, but made it harder to sneak around with the possibility of a customer walking in at any moment. "Why are we here anyway?"
"I told you, I wanna show you something." He responded, grabbing her hand and giving her a light tug to catch her attention. "I-I think you'll like it. I hope so anyway.. We'll be quick though!"
He pulled her over to a corner shelf, which was where all the music was coming from. That was where most of the music boxes were, some big and small, some silver, some gold. There was a variety, but none lacked in beauty.
Ekko reached for one in the middle, though after a second of thought, he hesitated. "Oh! Hold on– Close your eyes!"
"Now?"
"Just trust me!"
She sighed, deciding it was better not to fight it. Holding her hands over her eyes, she heard him open one of the music boxes and the sound of repetitive clicking, he was winding it up.
"Alright.. You can open them." The excitement in his voice could be heard. He was obviously eager to show her whatever this was.
She dropped her hands and peeked her eyes open, staring at the gorgeous trinket now playing music in Ekko's hands.
It was silver music box in the shape of a triangle, a circus tent. The very tip of it opened up and showed a toy monkey with his cymbals, hitting them along with the sound of the gentle melody. It wasn't loud and chaotic, it was soft, sounded more like a lullaby with a bit of flare to it. It was gorgeous to say the least, the metal shined and the monkey's eyes nearly glowed with how vibrant the blue porcelain was.
"Do you like it?" Ekko asked, breaking Powder's focus. He was nervous and excited all at once for her reaction. He knew she likes things like this, after all she made little grenades that looked like monkey's like these at least once right? Maybe this was a bad idea, it was kinda stupid to bring her all the way out here just to show her a silly little music box.
"It's so pretty!" Powder lit up, glancing between him and the music box, immediately easing the worry from his mind with just a few words. "I've never seen anything like it.."
"I saw it and thought of you. Thought it could use your artistic flare though, needs a little neon." He laughed, which only made her laughed along with him.
"You think s–"
Suddenly the entire shop bursted into a dissonance of gongs as every single clock in the shop chimed to life when the clock struck 12 in the afternoon.
Ekko and Powder both jumped with fright, the little music box falling from his hands onto the ground with a clatter. Somehow, the older gentleman was able to hear their surprised squeals over all the noise.
"Hey! Hey, what are you doing?!" He shouted at them, slowly trying to make his way around his counter.
Ekko picked up the fallen music box and reeled back, only to bump into the rickety shelf and cause the entirety of its contents to fall down on top of them. Most of it broke upon impact and some started playing music- Only this time it all sounded wrecked and out of tune.
"Oh shi–"
"Come on!!" Powder grabbed his arm, yanking him to follow as they ran out of the shop, with the one music box in hand. To their luck the older man was really slow, so it was easy to run out of the front door. Though their luck was short lived as soon as they exited the building, because, of course.
Of course two enforcers had to be walking past at that very moment.
"Stop them!! Stop those thieves!" The old man shouted, causing the enforcers to take action and chase after them.
"Oh goD!"
"We can't be arrested for looking, but we can be arrested for wrecking the place!!" Powder exclaimed through panting, both of them racing through the crowd of people, weaving and dodging just to get through. "Not to mention you stole that!!"
The music box, he was still clutching it close to him.
"I didn't mean to grab it, Honest!"
There seemed to be a lot of people around a large building with steps, that would be a good place to hide. The crowd could serve as a shield, and with those big fancy doors open, perhaps they could sneak in and find a place to hide.
Shit. That's right it's progress day wasn't it? One of the only times the big building opened its doors to people. Later on tonight the ginger hamster would give a speech. Least that's what Mylo had always told Powder.
Either way, she wasn't going to pass up this chance.
Powder darted through the crowd, pulling Ekko along with her and ignoring his protests as they got squished trying to squeeze through. Somehow by a miracle, they made it on the other side
But it wasn't over yet, taking a glance behind them Ekko could see and hear the Enforcers pushing people out of the way, just trying to keep up with them.
"Go, go, go, go, go—"
"I'm going!" Tripping as they ran up the spiraling stairway, they finally made it to some of the upper floors, racing down the hallways.
Spotting a cracked open doorway, they slid inside, stopping short when two men whipped their heads around to stare back at them.
One of them was a thin man with goggles over his eyes and a screwdriver in his hand. He had unruly hair, obviously he had been running his hands through it in frustration. Currently, he was slouched over some sort of contraption with an untouched sandwich beside him.
The other man was more stocky in muscle with shorter hair. He was leaned back, his feet propped up on a table and his mouth was full mid-chew of his lunch. "Whaf fhe—"
"Where did those little shits go??" Could be heard down the hallway, edging closer to what the two children now realized was a lab.
The two men looked to each other, seeming to have a silent conversation. Though Powder and Ekko didn't wait for them to say anything.
The two kids ran towards a desk table underneath the bigger man's legs, immediately crawling under and hiding there. Only praying the two men didn't give them away. It was a bit of a reach, but they had no where else to run to with the two enforcers right outside the door. So it was either take the gamble, or take the prison sentence.
"Let's check in here."
"Wha-" The man swallowed his mouthful before standing up, his partner doing the same after taking his goggles off before walking to the door with his cane in hand.
"Quiet, Jayce."
The two enforcers pushed the door open just as The bigger man/Jayce pushed his chair; which had a blanket over it, infront of the desk, covering the two kids from sight as best as possible.
They both peeked in, looking around the lab for any clues. "Sorry to bother, Gentlemen, We're looking for two undercity rats. They caused a big ruckus just down the street."
"Two- I- Kids? Here? No. No it's just us two here." Jayce awkwardly laughed, leaning against the desk, as if that would help conceal them more. Though, with how bad his acting was, it only made things more suspicious.
"Do you mind if we take a look around, Mr Talis?" They asked, not even waiting for an answer before trying step inside. Only to be stopped by the other man, who extended his cane over the doorframe, blocking their entry.
"Viktor.." Jayce warned. He didn't want to test these two men, Not when the two had just managed to convince the councilors to fund their research not too long ago.
"Yes. We do mind." Viktor bluntly stated, looking between the two enforcers with an unimpressed expression. "Do you have a warrent?"
They both stammered, sputtering to try and come up with an answer. "I- uh- well—"
Viktor let out an exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose with a small groan as if he were getting a headache from this interaction alone. "No. No of course you don't. Come back with a fucking warrent."
"But sir- this is importa–"
"You do realize this is a lab, correct? Funded by the councilors, no less. You want to speak of important business? Well this? What we're doing here? This is important." He pointed to the document papers and contraptions on his own desk, showing them the extent of their research. "How pleased do you think the councilors will be? When they learn you have interrupted us and prolonged our progress because you could not do your job and keep up with two children?"
"We-Well.."
"I suggest you leave."
"But, Sir—"
"How happy do you think they will be, Jayce?" Viktor regarded to the other from over his shoulder.
Jayce perked up once his name was mentioned and smiled. "Not very happy, V.."
"No. No, I didn't think so."
The two went silent for a moment, hesitating before taking a step back. "Apologies, Mr Talis. Let us know if you see anything." That only made Viktor roll his eyes. Of course they wouldn't refer to him.
"Will do, Gentlemen." Jayce gave them a smile and a salute as they walked off. Only relaxing once Viktor shut the door behind them. "Laid it on a little thick didn't you?"
"What are you talking about? I meant it."
Jayce pulled the chair out the way and crouched to look at the two culprits of this mess. "...So you wanna tell us what's going on now?"
"Thought you would have guessed already.." Powder muttered as Ekko started to silently crawl out of the hiding spot with the music box in hand. He was holding it close, a little afraid for them to see and put the pieces together.
Powder crawled out next with a little grenade in hand. Just incase things went south and they needed a quick escape. Not that it would actually work well, It never really did.
"What's that?" Jayce and Viktor had both said in unison, though their question was directed in opposite directions.
They glanced at each other, seemingly trying to decide who goes first with their inquiry. But, the kids decided for them instead.
"Oh well ehm– It's nothing really. Just a precaution.. incase.. Y'know they found us." Powder answered Viktor’s question, turning the grenade in her hand to look at the vibrantly drawn face of a mouse.
Viktor rested his hips against the desk, raising a brow once it clicked what exactly the child was holding. He was curious, unlike his partner who was just horrified. "I do hope you didn't intend on blowing us all up."
She shook her head with wide eyes. "No! No. Well.. They can't do that anyway.. They never seem to work. I can't figure it out.."
"You mean you made it?" His voice gave away how impressed he sounded. It reminded him of when he was younger, working on little trinkets and machines.
"Failed to, But.. yes."
"What makes you think it's a failure?"
"Well.. It's always a dud! Whenever I use it, it only throws out dust and that's it!" She sighed with a slouch in her shoulders. Just thinking about it made her dissapointed. "It has nails in it. I just want it to burst like it's supposed to."
"Hm.." Viktor hummed, sitting back down in his chair, setting his cane beside him. He pulled his goggles back on and held his hand out, beckoning her over. "Let me see."
Powder face lit up as she came forward, handing over the gadget, which Viktor then started to look over. "You think you can fix it??"
"I can certainly try." He answered, carefully popping the top open to take a look inside. Though sparing a glance at the girl, he saw her staring at his untouched sandwich beside them. "You can eat it if you're hungry."
He pushed it towards her, watching as she unfolded it from it's protective layer of cloth. "Though I'd be careful. He brought it to me, so it may not taste well at all." He teased, gesturing to Jayce with a chuckle.
"Hey! My mother made them!"
"Oh? Well then you're in luck, Kid. It's actually edible."
"You're an ass." Jayce scoffed, tearing his eyes away from the child and her bomb, instead returning to his own question. "So.. What is that? Not another weapon, I hope."
"No.. It's a music box." Ekko answered, putting up one last refusal to show the man.
"Is there a reason you're hiding it?"
"..It's from the shop." Ekko gave up trying to conceal it, instead he lifting it to show the tall man the beautiful silver of the music box, obviously way too expensive for a couple of undercity kids to afford.
"The shop those enforcers were talking about?" Jayce's brows furrowed as he picked it up from Ekko's hands. "You stole this??"
"I didn't mean to! I was trying to pick it up and put it back! But.. He scared us–" Ekko tried to explain though he was quickly interrupted.
"That doesn't make a difference! You still stole it!"
"Jayce, Please." Viktor caught his attention, humming as he picked up some tweezers to pick through Powder's grenade. "I'm trying to focus."
"V, don't you understand what this means? We're harboring thieves!" Jayce exclaimed, worry clouding his mind. They had lied to the Enforcers, they had kept the children hidden, they were now accomplices! What if they got shut down because of this? Right at the height of their progress!
Viktor smacked his tweezers down, twirling his chair around to look at his partner who was definitely overthinking it all. "Children. We are harboring children. You know how strict the enforcers are. They more than likely wouldn't have even given them the chance to explain."
Jayce nodded quietly, murmuring out a breath. "You're right. Yeah, you're right.." He agreed, Viktor only humming in acknowledgment as he turned back around to continue his work. "But you're going to have to take this back."
"What?? Hell no!" Ekko protested, crossing his arms in refusal. "They'll arrest me as soon as I take a step inside that shop!"
"Well you can't keep it!"
"Why noT?"
"Because it's wrong— I–" Jayce groaned, running a hand over his face. "Look, I'll go with you, Alright? I'll make sure they don't arrest you as long as you return it. Deal?"
Ekko glowered at him in thought. It was still risky in his mind, but it was obvious this guy wasn't going to give up and Ekko didn't want to risk the chance for him to tattle to the enforcers because of it. "...Fine. Deal."
"Well then let's go." Jayce handed back the trinket, heading to the door and opening it. He peeked outside, making sure the coast was clear. "We'll be back later, V."
Viktor hummed, throwing a hand up to wave goodbye.
Jayce closed the door behind him and Ekko, walking him down the spiraling stairs and through the crowd of people. "Why were you there anyway, Kid?"
"I uh.. wanted to show Powder.. She likes things like this." He nodded to the music box again, following closely behind the tall man, trying not to lose him in the crowd. He was a little worried the enforcers would spot them but.. He had to give a little faith in Jayce.
"Powder.. The girl you were with?"
"Yeah.. I thought she'd like it.."
"You trying to impress her?" Jayce asked, peeking to the side to see the blushing expression the young boy gave. "Next time I wouldn't take your date somewhere that risks imprisonment though."
Ekko groaned, throwing his head back. "We were only going to be in and out I swear! It just.. didn't go according to plan."
"That much was obvious." He snorted, looking around at the many buildings and shops. "So which one is it?"
Ekko pointed, it still had the door open and inside the older gentleman could be seen walking around. More than likely trying to clean up the mess they had made. "That one.. Be careful.. He was pretty mad."
"Can you blame him?" Jayce snorted a laugh, as they stepped into the shop, catching the older man's attention.
He gave Jayce a fake smile, that is until he saw Ekko hiding behind his bulky shield.
"You—!"
"Now- Now hold on, Sir- He's come to apologize! Isn't that right?" Jayce nudged Ekko forward and got a dirty look from the child in return. How he wished he had one hand free right now. Or more specifically, one finger. "And to return something. He says he didn't mean to steal it, Honest mistake right?"
"..I suppose.." The older man grumbled, holding out his hand for the box, which Ekko still clung to. He was staring at it, the gears turning in his head. Would it be too late to make a run for it? He wouldn't be able to get Powder if he did, the big guy would know where he was off too. And he very well couldn't just leave her.
He didn't realize how long he had hesitated until he heard Jayce’s voice interrupt his train of thought.
"Would you excuse us for a moment?" He awkwardly smiled, giving an uncomfortable chuckle. He pushed Ekko to the side, whispering to him from behind a shelf for privacy. Though he could still hear the atrocities the older man grumbled. "What's the problem?"
"Nothing!"
"Than why aren't you giving it back??"
"I don't know, I just—" His shoulders fell as he looked back down at it. "You should have seen her face.. I'd never seen her so happy before."
"So this is about your girlfriend.." Jayce exhaled a deep sigh, standing up straight and pulling out his coin purse. "How about I pay for it instead?"
"You mean it??" Ekko asked, unable to hide the grin he was bearing.
"Only if you promise not to steal anything else." Jayce warned, handing over some coin to the older gentleman, who seemed to get a lot happier once he was paid.
"I won't! I won't but uh-" Ekko tried to intervene, looking at the price tag that was still attached to the item he now owned. "Wait a minute—"
"There's no need to thank me. Just go gift it to your girl already." Jayce smiled, obviously a little proud of himself for being a gracious person.
Ekko wasn't about to argue, he quickly exited the shop without another word, hurrying back to the lab as soon as he saw the older gentleman give that impish smile.
"That's all well and all but.." The man started, tearing Jayce's attention away from the fleeing child.
"Hm?" He still had that stupid smile on his face completely blindsided to what was about to happen.
"What about all of the other things they broke?" He pointed to the mess still on the floor behind him, the broken music boxes and clocks whose glass was shattered and broke. His smile fell. It was obviously an expensive amount of damage.
That he now had to pay for.
"...What—?"
So much for being a gracious person.
●
Back at the lab, Viktor and Powder were hard at work. That much was obvious will all the tools lying about, it had been turned into a proper mess. It wasn't the cleanest in the first place, but with another project added onto their schedule it had just become a complete disaray.
Viktor had just finished assessing Powders gadget, and finally came to a few conclusions.
"Well.." He started, pursing his lips in thought as he set the faulty bomb down. "You have almost everything correct. Except for a few main factors.."
"Like what?" Powder asked, long having stolen Jayce’s desk chair, which she was now spinning in beside Viktor.
"It needs a.. Component. Such as Gunpowder or grinded charcoal." He explained, waving his hand around while he talked. "Maybe flammable fluid too, and something to ignite a flame. That will make it ehhh.."
"Go kaboom?" Powder suggested, grabbing the desk to stop her spinning.
"..Yes, Make it go kaboom." He smiled at the word, finding it a but silly but.. it explained it well. "And that will make the nails fly too. Not only dust."
"Do we have anything to fix it here?" She asked, picking it up and peering at the inside that had been gutted and meticulously put back together in correct order. Perhaps even better order than Powder had herself.
"Hm.. Yes. Yes I do think I have an extra lighter lying around.." Viktor nodded, grabbing his cane and coming to a stand. "As for the gunpowder.. that will be harder to find."
"I'm sure I can find something somewhere in the undercity! Or well.. The dust already in there may be flammable enough!" Powder hopped up off of the chair, now following behind the man who rummaged through some things, though they both jumped when Ekko burst through the door with a wide smile.
"Ekko! Back so soon?" Powder asked, equally just as excited. "And you managed not to get yourself arrested!" Though when she caught sight of the metal in his hand, her excitement dulled down to perplexity. "You didn't return it?"
"No we did! But— I was able to get it." More so Jayce was able to get it. But there wasn't any need to mention that, that was more than likely already a given.
"What? Why?" She abandoned Viktor in his search, instead meeting Ekko halfway by the door as Vik returned to the little grenade, now finishing up the upgrades.
"For you." He handed it out to her, watching as her eyes lit up. "I saw how much you liked it. And well.. Now that it's yours you can add that artistic flare we talked about!"
"Ekko!" She flung herself on him, hugging tightly which squeezed a breathless groan out of him. "Are you serious?? Thank you!"
"Can't– Breathe, Pow-Pow—" He was quickly shushed when she decided just a hug wasn't enough, and instead pecked his cheek as a show of her appreciation.
Never in his life had Ekko been so flustered.
If he had to do all of this over again and risk getting put in the slammer? He would without hesitation. He thought Powder's smile would make it all worth it in the end.
"Thank you, Thank you! I've never owned something so beautiful in all my liFe!"
"Not to mention expensive." Jayce spoke up from the doorway, looking like he had been thoroughly dragged through the mud. Or at least his pockets had been thoroughly emptied.
The old shopkeeper did not let up, he made sure Jayce stayed there until his coin purse was filled with nothing but dustballs. Finally, once everything was tallied up and paid for, was Jayce allowed to leave.
And he wasted no time in returning to the lab.
Viktor closed up the grenade, now finally looking at the rest of the people in the room once his task was completed. "..What happened to you?"
"Do you realize how much that cost me? All of it??" Jayce asked Ekko, who was paying no attention to him. He was too happy to be bothered by a grown man's whining. "Why did you just leave??"
Ekko shrugged. "You told me to go."
"All of what?"
"They forgot to mention they trashed the place too! I had to pay for all the damage!!" Jayce explained to his partner, running his hands through his hair. But he stopped abruptly at the sound of laughter.
Viktor had his head back laughing, and though Jayce wanted to be angry, the laughter was only infectious and he found himself chortling along with him.
"Vik, I'm serious! It was a lot!" Jayce griped with a chuckle slipping out here and there, he wanted at least some sort of sympathy! But here Viktor was, laughing at him. Again, he couldn't find it in himself to be angry.
"Oh please, It's not like you can't afford it." Viktor sighed with a smile, carding a hand down his face to try and gather himself. "It was your idea to go in the first place. What do you want me to do? Hm? Kiss it better?"
"I mean.. That's a start." Jayce shrugged, now the one laughing as Viktor blew him off.
"Pssh.." He picked up the gadget, holding it out to Powder once she was done showing her gratitude to Ekko. "There. It should work now to some extent."
"Oh- Thanks, Goggles!" She took it, putting it back on her belt for safe keeping. Ignoring how Viktor gave a fond smile at the new nickname.
"You two had best be getting along, now." Viktor said, trying to clean up the mess his desk had become. "And do stay out of trouble, Yes? I'd hate for you to have a reason to actually use that."
"No promises!"
Viktor hummed, giving her a side eye while Ekko stepped up to Jayce. Who had slumped back down in his chair, seeping with self pity and mourning his pockets.
"Thank you. I do appreciate you doing that." He was afraid he'd be mad, which he would have plausible reason to be. Ekko couldn't blame him for that if he was. But Jayce just gave a long suspire and a weak smile.
"You're welcome. But Please. Don't go destroying anything else? Because that was the one and only time I'm paying for that."
"I can try!"
"Cmon, Ekko! Lets get going before Vi notices!" Powder spoke up, waving goodbye to Viktor who returned the gesture with a slight smile. "I want to get bacn before the fireworks start too!"
Jayce and Viktor spared a glance at each other, both smiling like fools. Who knew their lunch break would go like this?
"Right! Bye, Big man, Thanks again!" Ekko beamed as Powder took his hand, dragging him once again, though this time out of the lab. He could hear the faint voices of the two scientists as they left.
"I'm so broke."
"Poor thing.. Well! lunch break is over, get back to work."
"But, V!" The man's whine then faded into the chatter of the voices downstairs. Though, for some reason, Ekko didn't think that would be the last they saw of the two men.
It was soon becoming sunset, the others would be waiting for them. All ready to watch the after party of the Progress day speech. The fireworks usually were beautiful, even in the undercity they could be seen in all their splendid glory.
"I can't believe we didn't get arrested!" Powder giggled, leading Ekko through the crowd of people. Finally they were on their way home, without having to worry about the enforcers chasing them the whole way home.
"I guess we really are just lucky!" Ekko laughed, playing with the unneeded price tag he took off Powder's music box, it made him chuckle at the thought. It was a nice gesture, sincerely a heap of kindness he wasn't used to. But he still couldn't help but laugh, So that’s where he recognized him. It was just like when he saw Jayce in Benzo's shop that one time.
With no haggle, Sucker still paid double.