Scrapyard Angels Act 1 Chapter 7

Getting a raise was always a lovely thing to experience. All the things you could buy as you move up in life. Better food, more comfort and better quality belts. Prices had been higher than usual thanks to what little trickled down but both Vi and I had more to spend.

We slept like kings tonight as after a week of saving we could finally afford a bed of our own. All three of us could sleep together in one large bed. It was just a large piece of fabric stuffed with extra scraps of cloth to make it a bit fluffier but it was our bed and for all intent and purpose the best bed there is. It was just a cheap imitation of what the Ionians used but it was a massive step up from what we had back then.

We all huddled together closely while we slept, taking comfort in the presence of each other. Our peace wouldn't last however as the earth shook

The whole of Zaun would find itself awake as the ground beneath them quaked. Dust fell from the ceiling above us as my family stirred from our sleep. While the cliffs may mutter from time to time, it's never to such a degree. The ground shook once more and this time it was accompanied by a deep boom.

The economic boom might be a boon but it can also be a curse. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. When business is booming and competition is stiff, there's bound for skullduggery involved as people decides to be people

"Freaking economic sabotage" When there's money to be had, expect people to try 'free up the market'. It was free game after all, that is if you can get away with it without retaliation

Jinx whimpered as she pulled Whump close to her. Poor Whump looked like he was getting the life squeezed out of him but Whump did not complain as he gently pat Jinx's arm

"There there. There's nothing to be afraid of. You have big sis Vi and big brother Ark to protect you" Vi whispered as she scooted a bit closer to Jinx, wrapping her arms around her while the pop and crack of rifle shots could be heard echoing from outside the tunnels.

It was maddening how close it was and there's nothing we can do to stop the violence but I can at least distract my sister.

"Hey Jinx, wanna hear a story?" I asked, trying to get her attention. Slowly, she nodded while Vi gently combed her hair

"Is it about Amumu?"

"Well no but I think I have a better one. You're in for a treat because I remembered a story I once read about. It's a fantastical tale of a far away land and I think you'll live it" That got her attention as her eyes lit up in excitement. The wonder in her eyes showed me how she wanted to hear about it

I reminisce about the times before as I told them both a tale from an author with one memorable tale.

"In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit…"

Morning soon came and with the break of dawn came the end of the fighting. It was a long one, having lasted far longer than usual. Something major must have happened as there was a lot of destruction in one block

Factories were burnt to the ground but in the ashes comes opportunity. I didn't get to sleep that night but it was worth it as we were among the first in the burnt out ruins

"So how's work Vi?" I asked as I dug around the rubble, trying to find something of value.

"Been doing good… tiring but good. Grab that by the way" She replied as she dugged up some intact chemtech parts. She was the expert when it comes to getting stuff in the rubble as she worked in a chemtech shop.

Jinx joined in our dig as well. We didn't want to leave her alone especially when things are getting charged in the streets. It was getting worrisome having to leave her in our hideout and we could use some extra hand

"Hey Ark, I've been thinking…" Vi asked as she tossed a half burnt but still working gauge in the useful pile

"About the kiss?"

"Shut up you dork… it's not like its that good" Heat rising up her cheeks as she refrained from punching me

"But you still think it's good?" I smirked. Keeping things light hearted kept things from going to crazy

She threw up her arms before patting her cheeks. "Argh, let me finish ok?"

Looking over to the Jinx to check if she wasn't in earshot, she told me what she had in mind

"So I've been getting some offer for a job… but" That got my eyebrow raising "Well, you see it's in a gang and while we try to get legitimate jobs so we don't get Jinx tangled in the gangs but I think this could really help out"

She paused for a bit, taking a breather before continuing. "And it's not what you think. Nothing major but they do say they appreciate my leg breaking but I'm not that dumb to fall for that. I just wanted their first job offer"

Getting tangled in gangs wasn't something one would want to have. It's usually for life for better or for worse because people might know a bit too much but there were some jobs that were almost worth it

"...What's the job?" I asked

"Just a courier, part time nothing too major. I don't even need to get a tattoo since tattoos make you easy to spot!"

I grimaced. "I don't know… I promised you that I'll get you both a better life and getting tangled with them can make it hard" Piltover did not take lightly to those who associate lawbreakers even if those crimes happen in Zaun

"And I wanted that too but this could help us! Make it easier for all of us. Can you trust me?"

Vi for all her knucklehead antics and her lack of interest in big numbers wasn't a fool. This was a risk but the rewards could be big

"I… I trust you"

"I promise you, you won't regret this!" Before I could reply however, our attention was called on by Jinx

"Guys! I found something" She half shouted and half whispered over the silence in the ruins as to not call in too much attention

We packed up our things and headed over to where she was jumping up and down in excitement. There in front of her was a box. It wasn't an ordinary box however as there were ornate markings over it and not even the soot tarnished its beauty

"'Can keep it?" Jinx asked as she tried to fiddle with i

"Did you find any key?" I asked as I tried to find any mechanism on it. I regretted not learning how to break open a lock. I could have learned in a few minutes if I had just watched it back then

"Nuh uh. Just this pretty box" Jinx replied as she lifted it up near her ears and shook it

"Well it's just a pretty box if we don't have the key so sure?" Vi replied a bit disappointed that we couldn't sell it but Jinx was too happy for it

"I'm going to call you Mister Sparkles!" Jinx hugged the ornate box close to her chest.

"Hmmm, it's not exactly just a pretty box because I know of someone who might just know how to open it and probably wouldn't try to rip us off if it turns out it has something valuable inside" I only know of one person like that down here in Zaun

"Who?" Vi asked

"Well, are you familiar with Inventor Bob?"

Getting to his place wasn't exactly a walk in the park. The various twists and turns makes it an out of the way shop that one must really go to

"Are you sure this person's trustworthy?" Vi asked as I pulled her to the side as that errant steam vent that isn't quite fixed yet blew its top again. One of these days, it'll burn someone's right cheek off. Helping her adjust her sack, we continued onwards

Jinx wasn't too far behind us and she made sure to follow our step. She hummed happily as she lugged her own sack behind her.

"Yeah. He took care of me when I got sick when I was really young. He could have easily sold me off to Noxus or some farm in Demacia but he lectured me and everything when I got back on my feet. I owe him a lot"

"Sounds quite the guy"

"He is."

Before long, we soon reached his shop. Not only was it a place to drop off scrap but also it was Bob's workshop for clockwork and chemtech.

I wish I could have apprenticed under him but I didn't have the time. He also already had an apprenta and most of his stuff was family secret passed down from family member to family member.

Entering the shop, we were greeted by the various parts of steam golems, tubings and clock work gear littering the shop

"Before we go to his shop, just remember he's a nice guy. Don't be afraid of him"

"Scared? Why would I be scared… of him" Vi trailed off as she looked up and up until she saw Bob's face.

"Welcome" Bob rumbled out as he stared down Vi

"Hi Bob" Bob wasn't really the nicest looking guy. He's a mountain of a man with more gears than a steam golem imbeded into his body. The prosthetics he has is quite extensive and many would be taken aback by it especially when half his face was machinery and tubing. He also sported a look akin to that of a bear "And cut it it it out Bob, please don't haze my family"

His demeanor changed as he smiled. His jolly disposition was quite the contrast to the look that he could level people. "Family! You have a wife now?" He jokingly asked as he pulled us all into a great big bear hug

Vi squeaked out while Jinx yipped in surprise. Meanwhile I just sighed out with a weary smile. "While I would love to, we're more family family rather than that Bob"

"It's a big shame then because you three are perfect for each other. As they say in Demacian, ménage à trois.". Vi and I blushed heavily while Jinx only giggled

"I forgot the word for that in Shuriman but there is that word in an Ionian dialect which says-"

"We get it, we get it, now put us down!" I shouted, trying to escape from the indignity that Bob put us through

"You young ones are no fun" Bob complained as he finally placed us down.

"So, what's the occasion? You haven't been sumping in a while now… unless you lost your job?"

"No, nothing of that sort. We just found something and we want you to help us open it. Jinx?" I glanced towards Jinx asking for her to show the box

Jinx nodded as she reached into her sack and pulled out the box

Bob frowned as he knelt down and inspected the box. "Where did you get this? Did you find this above because I ask you to throw it away before they find you!" He shouted in fear which had me all confused

"What? No, we found it in the rubbles of a burnt out factory"

He visibly sagged in relief. "Ah, a dead chem baron then. Lucky you" he replied as his smile returned

"Well, why don't you come with me to the back room so we can crack this box open" We followed him in and I wondered what we might find inside. Such an ornate box should hold something important right?