22

Chapter Eleven

Vi almost got us killed.

Not that I could completely blame her.

The time for attending the meeting with the Justifiers had come, and Violetta and I, both armed and armored, set out, Piper pouting at being left home, but until she'd aged enough that she was unrecognizable as Powder, she wasn't going into the Undercity proper. She looked different enough now, between the Piltovan clothes, filling out a bit from the food and gaining a foot in height, and also having lost her gangly, coltish clumsiness through training with Vi, Caitlyn and I, her movements now more along the lines of a mix between lazy precision and explosive adolescent energy, that the short trips to and from the HALP center were fine, everyone thinking Powder had perished along with the rest of her family months before Piper had shown up, and thus not making the connection, but I'd been firm on her staying out of the rest of the city, and she'd done as I'd asked, limiting her time in the Lanes, and never going beyond.

I'd given in early on to let her paint the HALP center, but she'd had to do so fully covered, mask and all, to deal with the 'fumes', and while that guise was excusable while she was working, there was a non-zero chance they'd ask her to 'unmask' if she attended, even if it was safe, which I had a feeling it would not be.

And, while I was correct, it wasn't for the reasons I'd thought.

Arriving at the location had gone easily enough, though I'd insisted that we ask the Justifiers in The Lanes for directions, even if Vi knew where it was from the name alone, and they were happy to show us the way. It was what appeared to have originally been a concert hall of some sort, the place bustling with activity, and the functional concession stand made me laugh, getting a snack for the both of us, mildly surprised when it didn't set off any of my Defenses.

Making small talk with some of the somewhat dangerous looking men and women there, most of whom were surprised to see us, their reception was generally positive, word of our fight having had spread, and the fact that the two of us had taken down a Shimmer Berserker, though they used the term 'Overshim', got us some props from the rough and tumble unofficially ex-cons.

In turn, asking about the coming meeting, apparently, they had these kinds of gatherings once a month, though not once a month exactly, and they were general 'Rah, Rah, Sis, Boom, Bah!' motivational events first and foremost, with an addressing of ongoing situations, and general orders being given out second. The HALP Center, when it was being constructed, had apparently been the topic of one of those, where the orders from on high had been to leave us alone.

There hadn't been any kind of incident on our end, but the people in charge of the Justifers, all three of them, as it was apparently a kind of triumvirate, had agreed that they should at least see what we built before coming to a conclusion about us, though the questions I gently posed on who those leaders were didn't lead anywhere, answers only deferred with a promise that everyone was sure they'd wish to meet us.

That was a little worrying, but, given I just needed five seconds and a clear spot to get the fuck out of here, I wasn't too concerned, though, doing the same thing I'd done as 'Justice' would likely mean shit would get complicated, fast, though that was still vastly preferable to death.

Regardless, we all headed in, most of the seating having long ago been stripped out, as the hundreds upon hundreds of Justifiers slowly filtered in, and, combined with the fact that I was told this was just those that could make it to the meeting, I realized that, while I had only seen them in twos and threes, this gang was… sizeable.

Regardless, Vi and I headed off to the side, and stood, waiting, the illumination in the hall dimming slightly, the chemtech equipment subtly humming as the stage-lights activated, a spotlight indicating a podium, and, as the curtains pulled back, they revealed a woman with dark green hair and pale skin, older, maybe in her forties, wearing a soft, indulgent smile as she stepped forward, with a sashay that wasn't sexual, like Babette, but wider, almost… matronly?

Yes, I thought, looking at her clothing, matronly was the impression she was giving off. Her apparel was of good quality, but not ostentatious, at least by Zaunite standards, though from what I know of Piltovan standards it'd likely be considered a little garish, and the slightly worn nature of it would help here to establish 'humility', where it wouldn't in the more altitudinous metropolis.

"Welcome, all," she smiled, her voice carrying, the acoustics of this place quite good. "Both old and new, I thank you for doing the right thing, for trying to be the change you wish to see in the world, for stepping up and answering the call to make this a better place for everyone. For those of you who are here for the first time, my name is Rivina, or Auntie if you'd prefer," she announced, many in the crowd chuckling good naturedly.

Leaning over to Vi, I whispered, "Recognize her?" but the brawler, eyes focused on the woman, shook her head minutely.

The speaker continued, talking about their higher purpose, following in the footsteps of the Spirit that had shown them the way, and, how they were the only thing that, through their efforts, kept the Undercity safe, as they had been abandoned by the Topsiders, something that got me a few apologetic looks from those around me, which was noticed by others, the effect visibly spreading throughout the crowd, causing the woman to pause, mid-speech, and look my way.

Giving her a cheery wave, I could practically see her recalibrate, shifting gears to continue, "Though not all that live above our heads hold that fact against us, some, like those of House Ferros, or even Jayce Talis, the creator of the Hexgates, yes, but also of the structure that I'm sure we've all been to, at least once, assist us in our cause, which should show any who doubt my words that we have supporters in places you might not expect, and that those who seek to keep us down do so because they want to, not for whatever excuses they may offer, if they bother talking to those they falsely believe are below them in anything other than height!"

So you're using my presence as tacit endorsement, a way to dodge dismissal of anything you say as mere partisanship, and to give the impression of support on a level that might not exist, I mentally translated, the woman giving definite 'Cult/Religious Leader' vibes.

Actually, listening to her, that's exactly what she was doing, especially with the extreme emphasis she was placing on key phrases, a bit like I tended to do with my Siren Song, only more so. The Seminars I'd taken on such things in Basic Training, accidentally, only impressing upon me how easy it was to exploit people, which is why I tried to avoid doing such things, wherever possible but it was all there, every foundational aspect of a religion, or of a cult.

The supernatural force that declares the chosen people: in this case me and my not killing people who didn't deserve it, but it didn't need to be true, or even clear, just passable.

The symbology and ritual: the somewhat messily spelled out $Class D$ Necril runes sown into a large banner at the back, and my pistol's brass, laser-inscribed with the same markings worn as an amulet on a number of necks of those present, including the speaker, who had three, despite the fact that I was pretty sure I'd never met her before. And, as for rituals, we were doing that right now.

The Sacred Story and Inciting Event: again, my attack on Stillwater.

The Community was even clearer: as they surrounded us.

The Morality was also unquestionable present: the words I'd spoken in passing to 'Kill False Enforcers' spoken now in a call and return like a holy chant, 'Live Well' was fairly obvious, and my informing that last corrupt prison guard that 'Honor Is For The Honorable', while not exactly what I would've set as a base, wasn't terrible.

Fuck.

I accidentally a cult.

… I have no idea what to do with this.

At least, from Vi's amused look my way, she thought it was funny.

Regardless, the, for lack of a better term, sermon, only lasted about twenty minutes, clearly an affirmation of things stated before, winding down as she introduced someone named Cragit, who was dressed actually plainly, with none of her artifice, and who looked really familiar.

"Uh, hey everybody! Glad to see you all back, and that everyone's doing okay. As much as we're tryin' to do right by Him, I don't think anyone'd actually want Justice to have to come back!" the swarthy, scarred man smiled, getting laughs and noises of agreement, as I finally remembered where I'd seen him.

He was the first person I'd let out of the cells, realizing that clearing out the several dozen floor prison on my own was going to be a fucking pain in the ass, and, while I was riding that Wrath-High, I'd still known I wouldn't have enough in the tank to clear the place on my own to make sure that none of the Enforcers, who could tell others about Vi's presence, survived.

"Now, I'm not sure 'bout that entire Topsider thing," he offered, "since I don't think He'd really care, bein' a Spirit of Death and stuff, but given he punished everybody that did fucked up shit, Pilty or Undersider, I think it was more 'bout havin' honor, and bein' good, and stuff."

Which was, well, accurate, and, by the momentary look of annoyance on Rivina's face, she didn't much care for being undercut like that, even as the man got a warmer reception than she did with his straightforward honesty. In fact, as the man talked about how he was proud of them, calling out a few, by name, who went out of their way to offer aid, or saved someone, I realized they made an interestingly effective one-two socio-religious punch, though clearly a combo that wasn't planned.

'Auntie' Rivina handled the masses, and plied them with honeyed words and grand ideas, while Cragit made it real, getting to the people whose, to borrow Vi's phrase, bullshit detectors would go off at the older woman's attempts, as well as providing a reward for following their tenants that was tangible, in a manner of speaking, giving them social validation in a way that didn't permanently elevate them. Doing so was the easy go-to reward, but it was one which could go badly, very easily, in a 'fireman starting fires' manner, but his approach broke the normal cult dynamics that the other woman would likely naturally cultivate, one of tiered worth.

And the fact that the other man didn't comment on my presence, despite blinking in surprise when he saw me, was something that some of the others noticed as well, and which, likely accidentally, sent a similar message to Rivina's, though one that was much much subtler.

Rather intrigued, as he winded down, I wondered who the third member of this group would be.

When, out of the corner of my eye, at the edge of the crowd, I spotted a rough looking Indian woman, powerfully built without being overly muscular, wearing a shawl that hid the fact she was missing an arm.

Sevika.

And, with dread, I looked on as the last member of the Justifier's leadership took to the stage.

Welp, I couldn't help but think. Finally found Silco.

Thankfully, I was quicker on the draw than Vi was, for once, and snaked my arm up and around her, clamping it over her mouth before she could do more than open it to snarl, and yanked her back, and down, accepting the reflexive elbow to my armored stomach, if only because it was armored, while our target, thankfully, was exchanging words with Cragit, and not looking our way.

"We're surrounded by his armed supporters. You try this, you'll die, you might not even get to him, and you'll leave Piper alone, again," I hissed in her ear, those around us looking over with concern.

I waited for her response, as, if Vi wanted to break free and go after her father's killer, I knew I wasn't strong enough to stop her, and she struggled with herself, before, almost defeated, she untensed and elbowed me lightly, as I let go of her.

Seeing the other people around us now staring, I lied on the spot. "He makes Shimmer, right?" I questioned, getting some confused nods. "Well, in her culture, that makes him responsible for the Shimmer Berserkers, and that eye of his, I've heard of it from others, but, yeah, it looks like something nasty up in Freljord, and having that yourself, well, to them, it's not a good sign. But he's never been to Freljord, right?"

"Uh, I don't think he has?" a woman beside us offered.

"Then it's likely a coincidence," I stressed, giving the brawler a significant look, the teen, clearly fucking pissed, rolled her eyes and folded her arms. "Sorry, cultural issues," I offered to the others.

"I heard she almost beat someone to death for insulting her," someone else murmured.

Having remembered that incident, it hadn't been her that the person had been insulting, it'd been Vander. Vi, meanwhile, sneered, "Fucker deserved it."

"Like I said, cultural differences," I stressed, gesturing towards the front, where, fuck, Silco was staring. "Now, I'd like to hear what he's going to say."

"You would," the brawler muttered mulishly, which, thankfully, only sold my lie, the hopefully soon to be dead man addressing the crowd, after another moment.

And, yes, he spoke in the same sliding tones I remembered, almost growly, in a way that would've been aristocratic if he were Piltovan. It was actually darkly fascinating, as, viewing things objectively, he did, indeed, make the third aspect of this organization, not speaking in religious terms, or personal ones, but in business, about how safe the Lanes were, about how prosperous they were, and how that allowed the people of the Undercity to not only exist, but thrive.

Spiritual, Social, and Earthly concerns, the trifecta of Faith, which, if this were a different place, I'd have to worry about tainting me with their reverence, or of creating a Tulpa, a belief-born spirit that would be a twisted reflection of myself more in line with what they believed my alter-ego to be, but Spirits here were not created by their myths, even if some fed on worship, they existed first, and were then revered.

"However, there is one concern which has… grown, and all good citizens should be aware of," Silco stated, looking over the crowd. "And that has been the… disappearances. I'm sure you are all thinking, 'This is the Undercity, people disappear all the time', and, yes, they unfortunately, or not so unfortunately, do, for a wide variety of reasons. But they do not do so en masse, often from within locked dwellings, and always leaving their valuables behind."

Wait, what?

I wasn't the only one surprised, a general susurrus of concern springing up, and the man continued, nodding gravely, "Furthermore, those such vanished are not from the Sump, or far into the Stacks, but from across the Undercity, one family, man, women, children, gone without a trace, merely a few blocks down the street from this very location."

"Who is it?" one person yelled.

"Is it the Pilties?" another questioned. "Like last time?"

Last time?

"Please," the cold-blooded murderer scoffed, "if it were another Ripper, they would go after easier targets, like the last half a dozen, and they'd certainly leave the bodies behind. No, whoever, or whatever, is doing this is a beast of a different color. What we do know is that they operate at night, so keep your eyes opened and your ears peeled. Whatever this threat to the Undercity is, it's preying upon our people, and no one is going to help us but ourselves!"

I frowned, not having remembered anything like this, but, then again, Arcane was very much Vi and Jinx's story, with Viktor, Jayce, Mel, Ekko, and Caitlyn as secondary characters, so it was completely possible that, during the seven-year timeskip, this had happened.

After all, Silco had taken over somehow, and solving a problem like this would go a long way towards helping him do just that.

"Reach out to others, spread the world, and be on the lookout," he instructed. "I'm aware that our organization has not been, pushy, in the past," he noted nodding to the other two leaders still on stage, "and, by all means, do not force your way into a person's domicile, but go, warn them, check up on them, and let them know that someone is looking after them. That is something that has been all too rare, here in the Undercity, but I'm certain that, together, we can find what has been causing this, and put a stop to it."

It was a good speech, and, if this was actually happening, and with Silco involved that was an if, it was good advice.

Yet, at the same time, it was a definite change in their methodology, and, from the way that Rivina nodded with a look of motherly concern on her face, while Cragit looked conflicted, it was something that would push the Justifiers away from the passive guards they'd been before.

The meeting was brought to a close, and, as the lights in the audience-chamber brightened, I could see Silco move to whisper something to Sevika, the woman glancing our way, nodding, and starting to make her way towards us.

I wasn't the only one to see it either, as Vi stiffened, turning to stare at the approaching turncoat, murder in her eyes.

But, as much as I wanted to believe Vi could keep herself under control, not having spent years trapped, and abused, in Stillwater, that was a risk I didn't want to take.

Stepping to my white-haired companion, I murmured, voice low so only she could hear me, "Violetta, wait for me outside."

The look of utter betrayal on her face as she turned to look at me, sputtering, "I, Jayce, why-" hurt, but I'd gotten to know the young woman, and I knew this might very well push her over her limits if she stayed.

"Can you resist punching Sevika in her traitorous mouth if she says anything good about Silco? Or bad about Vander?" I pressed, keeping my expression mild, the woman in question, clearly watching our disagreement, slowing slightly.

"I… yes!" Vi hissed back, and I gave her a flat stare. "Jayce!" she almost pleaded, needing this, and I knew I was right.

"We've found him before, we'll find him again, somewhere he doesn't have hundreds of possible fighters to stop us from killing him because he's successfully fooled them," I whispered, the timeframe for her to make this work rapidly closing. "Please, Violetta, Trust me."

I kicked myself as soon as I accidentally used my Siren Song, both because putting psychic pressure to have someone trust you didn't really help them trust you, but also, a number of people around us paused, glancing about, not tracing the voice to me, but, well, I'd leaned on it really hard back then, so any use of it now had a high likelihood of catching the escapees' attention.

Staring the woman in her pale blue eyes, I was firm, until Vi forced herself to look away, growling, "Fine!" and shoved past me towards the exist.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Sevika came up behind me, asking, "What was that about?"

Turning to face the woman, my gaze lingering on the pale-blue lines on her face, the mana-scarring such that it probably actually helped harden and improve her body in the same way our mana-incense training was improving ours, though only if she pushed herself like we were.

"Depends, what can I do for you?" I questioned in turn.

The turncoat gave me a long look, likely meant to be intimidating, but I just waited, until she leaned back, tilting her head back to quite literally look down her nose at me, and stated, "Silco would like to have a few words with you."

"Oh, good, I wanted to talk to him as well," I smiled. "But, given how the man slightly resembles a Freljordian demon, I thought it best to send Violetta to wait for me rather than risk having her take something he did the wrong way and punch him in the face."

That took the partially disarmed woman aback, asking, "What, really?"

I nodded, only somewhat lying, pulling on Jayce's studies. "Oh, yes. The Grellfeen is a giant monstrous sea-serpent with the same kind of glowing orange orbs, and a person with them, well, there's stories about that sort of thing. Purely fables to scare children, of course," I deferred, "but enough to make the tribeswoman touchy."

"Huh. Never had that issue before," the dark-skinned woman mused. "Then again, we mostly deal with Noxians, Shirumans, or Bilgies."

"Whereas Bilgewater's stories of aquatic animal corruption are, while still bad, more of a 'had a really unpleasant night' kind of tale than the Freljordians' 'Will tie you down and feast upon your liver'," I nodded in agreement. "Those from that pirate-nation are a far more laid-back people, in general."

Giving me an incredulous look, Sevika observed, "You're an odd one, aren'tchya?"

"Normal people don't invent new methods of transnational transport," I shrugged, bragging. "So, Silco?"

"Right, follow me," she directed, turning and walking away, and I followed her, to a room backstage, where Silco was holding court, two dozen other Justifiers gathered around him, and, which, yes, Vi might've decided this situation was just secluded enough to go for the kill.

To be honest, if I was prepared, I'd be tempted to drop a ten-pound gift of plastique in his lap and 'step out', but, no, this wasn't the right time, nor the right place for that.

"Ah, Mr. Talis," the slimy, soon-to-be-dead man smiled. "Our most unexpected benefactor. I had heard you were down and about, but I must admit I was surprised to see you on our doorstep."

"I was invited," I countered. "And, given my recent difficulties, I thought it would be best for me to visit."

"Difficulties?" Silco echoed, unsure, or at least pretending to be.

"I was attacked by someone driven mad by an extreme dosage of Shimmer, which, I'm told, you, produce," I softly accused, putting the ball in his court. From what the Justifiers had said, this was a bit of an issue, and while the one that'd jumped Vi and I had absolutely been set up as a trap, Silco, or possibly even Sevika, might not have been aware of who they'd set that one on.

The man winced, "Ah, yes, that is an issue, and one we've been working to keep a cap on. While I do indeed, produce Shimmer, I am not the only one that does so. My standards are, of course, high, but there are other… enterprising individuals who do not have such requirements, and who are the cause of such things, amongst others. I'm sure you've had issues with others trying to ape your own successes with this 'Hextech' of yours, and failing horribly, have you not?"

That was Absolute Fucking Bullshit, but if I didn't know better, I'd believe him. Low quality Shimmer wouldn't turn you into an engine of alchemical destruction, it'd just kill you, being both weaker and more poisonous.

"I haven't, or at least I haven't past when I was robbed," I corrected. "I know something happened with the crystals that were stolen, as the detonation was visible from Piltover, and," I glanced at Sevika, "your companion has scarring similar to that which I saw in the village near where the hexcrystals are sourced, in those that survived blast from mishandling them, but past that, I've heard nothing. You wouldn't happen to know…?"

"Ah, that," the murderer sighed. "Terrible accident. The children who burgled your residence all perished in the blast. The foolishness of youth leads to many a tragedy when they lack proper guidance."

Allowing myself to feel guilty about not getting to Milo and Claggor, I showed that regret on my face, responding, "Oh, that's… what I feared. Thank you for telling me, I suppose. I couldn't exactly go asking around, but," I waved to the dark-skinned woman, and then my own face to indicate the scarring.

"Indeed. And, just as you did not intend for the deaths of those poor, poor children, I, too do not wish for others to be harmed by my own products," the torturer lied, voice full of faked sympathy. "Rest assured, several of those who have sought to overstep themselves have already had a… firm talking to, and been shown the error of their ways, but, alas, the very entrepreneurial spirit that motivates so many down here also means that there is no end of individuals who refuse to understand when to stop. However, I'd rather talk about your endeavors, Mr. Talis. I have heard quite a few things about this… 'HALP Center' of yours."

"Good things, I hope?" I smiled, in a manner I was told was 'boyishly charming'.

"Mostly," the ganglord noted neutrally. "Though, I have to ask… why?"

"Would you prefer the political answer, or the real one?" I questioned in turn.

Leaning back in his seat, the other hangers-on looking between us with every exchange, the scarred man, swirling his drink, replied, "Both, if you wouldn't mind."

"The political answer is that it gives us a place to test possible new Hextech devices," I explained easily. "There is only so much one can do in a lab, after all, and running regular use experiments requires, well, regular use."

"But you could do that in a warehouse somewhere, and it is not only Hextech that you are working on in there, is it?" Silco observed, which, had I been younger, might've put me off, as how could he know that, but the answer was simple, whores talk, and even if they hadn't it wouldn't be that hard to slip a spy into the back, given we didn't really have security protocols, the way I'd been trained to implement them in more… modern societies.

I laughed, "You asked for the political answer. Don't be surprised when I leave things out. As for the real answer, well, it's not just Hextech I'm interested in, as, now that I have the time, and funds, Chemtech has its own potential, though, of course, as Piltover isn't hooked up the same way that Zaun is, I can't exactly do anything with it up there easily, now can I?"

The hardened killer blinked in surprise, then gave me a narrow-eyed look, or, at least, with the eye that wasn't mutated and lidless, "… Zaun?"

… fuck.

"Isn't that what this place is actually called?" I questioned, feigning confusion, gesturing around the room. "I know you people like your slang, calling it 'The Undercity', or the main thoroughfare 'The Lanes', but Zaun existed long before Piltover did. I mean, compared to the Rune Wars, or Ancient Shurima, which I studied trying to figure out Hextech, Piltover's existence itself is practically recent."

Smiling, more honestly now, Silco looked to the others while waving his drink my way, "From the mouth of Academia itself. It appears that most Topsiders are just as ignorant as they accuse of us being."

"I'm… sorry?" I questioned, not liking the 'us vs. them' dynamic he was building towards with me right in the room.

"Not you, of course," the killer reassured me. "If anything, I'd say you're an honorary… Zaunite, given how much you've done for us."

Yeah, and I'm suuure you wouldn't stick a knife in my back the first moment it's profitable, I thought, shrugging, "I mean, people needed help, and I was in a position to do so."

"Is it true that you operate at a loss?" Silco pressed.

Okay, that one you shouldn't easily know, I thought, but showing that kind of understanding was, itself, a message, and I very much wanted the man before me to put me in the 'useful intelligent fool' category, to give me the opportunity I needed to meet him in more… personal settings.

After all, if I was in the same situation as the Sheriff of the Enforcers, a man thoroughly in Silco's pocket, was put in, it would be child's play to pull the pin on the provided grenade, toss it into the killer's lap, and step out.

Though, even if I could open the portal now, which would require me manipulating my phone while being watched, which I couldn't, and had a grenade on me, which I didn't, there was no way I could do it all without getting a possibly thousand-strong pseudo-military organization on my ass.

"Of course not," I scoffed, "I'd never get the Kirammans to bankroll me if I did so. However, research costs money, and, while I could likely turn a more direct, upfront profit, they understand the nature of investment."

"And that's what you're doing? Investment?" the crimelord questioned.

"No, that's what I'm using to excuse helping people," I answered easily. "I mean, it's true, but I can do things for multiple reasons. That's allowed," I stated, a little defensively, showing an insecurity that didn't exist. "I already have enough money to do what I wish from the Hexgates, I don't exactly need more, so if I can use it to assist those in need, why shouldn't I?"

From the blank look that, well, most of the people present gave me, I felt like I might've overplayed it a bit, even though I wasn't wrong.

Basic Amenities? Magic Pocket Dimension House.

Entertainment? Inventing Hextech and Chemtech.

Companionship? Viktor, Caitlyn, Vi, and Piper.

Combined with the fact that I was biologically immortal, well, I had all the time in the world to do as I wished, and nothing that I really needed to push for, on, at least, a basic level.

At that point money was just… gravy.

"But, uh, what about fancy shit?" one of the other Justifiers questioned.

"… Fancy shit?" I echoed, actually confused.

"Yeah, you know, like balls and orgies and shit," the man explained.

Beside him, a woman sighed, "Roddie, Pilties don't have orgies."

"I mean, it's not impossible, but if they do, I've never been invited," I offered. "Not that I would go even if I was, as I know just enough medicine to know that those sorts of things are terribly unhygienic. And as for balls, I have been invited to those, but, well, why do I care what some nobles with more money than taste, their wealth itself dwarfed by their own sense of self-importance, think of whatever I'm wearing? Like, I suppose if I needed to suck some noble's dick to secure a contract to beat out someone with more, you know, dignity, it might be worth it, but, well," I waved upwards.

"For Hexgates, it's me or bust, so I don't really need to do that. And my Patrons, the Kirammans, are, similarly, in a position where as long as I'm turning some profit, then they're alright with me focusing on other things that will, eventually, likely turn even more of a profit. They did bankroll me for close to a decade without seeing a single bit of return on their investment," I elucidated, not for Silco, but for the others around him that would, if I was right, take this and spread it out to others.

Silco regarded me with skepticism, "Truly?"

"Yes? I mean, a lot of Piltovans are assholes. Like the Medardas. Fuck the Medardas, or, well, not the Councilor, she's lovely," I corrected, nodding towards 'Mr. Orgy', "but the others I could very well see enjoying and indulging in… 'fancy shit'."

That got some laughs from the others, the crimelord leaning back in his seat. "And you wish to join the Justifiers, Mr. Talis?"

Those gathered got quiet very fast, and I shook my head. "Unfortunately, while I don't play politics in terms of high-society money-wasting, I do have to deal with the Council, and openly aligning myself with Stillwater escapees, no matter how falsely, well, justified their imprisonments may have been, would not turn out well for me. I don't mind helping, but, well, there's a reason I don't let you all inside while you're openly displaying your status, but also I don't mind if Penelope brings you all drinks and sandwiches if you happen to be outside."

"That said," I added, focusing on Silco. "If you find out what's been taking people, I'd like to know. If it's someone hiding out in Piltover, I can make sure the Enforcers get to them, or, if that's not possible, for whatever reason, can possibly assist in helping those boys and girls in blue… look the other way while a few concerned citizens have some words with them. I know Zaunites can… play rough, but kids? That's not acceptable."

"And if it's someone more… local?" Silco questioned.

"Then I'd still like to know what I can do to help," I answered seriously, casually resting my hand on my short-sword's pommel, noting as Sevika, to my side, and a little behind me, stiffened.

Now intrigued, the scarred man leaned forward, "Most Topsiders are averse to violence, or, at least, in doing it themselves."

"Most Piltovans never leave Piltover," I answered easily. "But when a ten-foot-long spider decides that walking into its cave means you have volunteered to be its next meal, and you're hundreds of miles from the reach of the Enforcers, harsh words do very little."

If I could, I'd play harmless, but that ship had already sailed years ago, when I chose violence when dealing with idiotic muggers, and, ultimately, that move had probably stopped more problems than it had caused.

"Indeed," Silco remarked, amused. "I'll send someone, should we learn more. However, I believe this is the start to a very profitable relationship. You will attend our next meeting, of course."

"If I don't have a scheduling conflict," I agreed without missing a beat. "I'd try and keep a slot open, only I'm told that they're not regular?" I stated questioningly.

The crimelord smiled, "While you can be found fairly easily, Mr. Talis, I've found a certain level of… unpredictability assists in my own endeavors."

And makes it harder to kill the fuck out of you, I thought, giving him a confused look, before shrugging, pretending I didn't know that he was dodging a pseudo-supernatural assassin, that being me. "I'll look forward to your messenger, then. It was good meeting you, Mr. Silco."

"Please, call me Silco, all of my friends do," the man I was planning on killing smiled.

"Alright then, see you then, Silco," I corrected. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to head home. The lab awaits, and eight a.m. comes all too early." Nodding to Sevika as I left, one of the other Justifiers a blonde woman with a curving facial scar left with me. "So, that's Silco," I observed, once we were re-entered the main room, heading for the exit.

"Yeah," the woman walking beside me agreed. "Without him, this wouldn't be possible."

Lifting an eyebrow her way, smiling and nodding to the others we passed, I asked, "Really? How?"

"Well, he pays for most of it," she revealed, which, while unexpected, fit. "And then there's the Shimmer."

"What about it?" I asked, slowly making my way through the dispersed crowd, spotting Vi leaning against the door, with serious 'Talk to me and I'll feed you your molars' energy, the girl glancing my way, seeing my pleasant expression, and, if anything, getting moodier.

"He supplies it for everyone!" the woman informed me, which caused me to hesitate, mid-step, and, reading my worry, though misattributing its cause, the ex-con quickly added, "Only in little bits! It's all medicinal-like. He's got a doctor and everything! Even if the guy's kinda creepy, lots a burns, though that ain't his fault, but it's really helped! And we all make sure no one OverShims. 'Live Well,' ya know?"

Mentally processing that, and upping the threat-rating of everyone here by half a Tier, I pressed forward. "Well, as long as you're being careful," I agreed, looking around, but not spotting any signs of over-use. While Jinx's purple eyes had been… extreme, that treatment had pushed the girl well into the supernatural in days, instead of the weeks, or months, these people had been dosing themselves.

The Justifier said something, but I didn't quite hear her, smiling and informing her that I really did need to leave, and, with one look at Vi, the woman backed off. The white-haired teen, meanwhile, pushed off the wall, and started to spit, "Had a nice little cha- … Jayce?" she questioned, some part of my thoughts clearly visible, at least to the young woman who'd known me for the last few years.

"Later. Follow me," I quietly ordered, having to force myself out of reflexively using my Song, lest any of those present make the connection.

To her credit, she did so without saying a word, as we left, making a bee-line for the Bathysphere, and home.

Because I thought Silco was being subtle, building up his resources, and taking the low road, using Shimmer as a commodity, using economic warfare to entrench himself.

But instead he'd built an alchemically enhanced army.

And they'd already taken over Zaun.

Chapter Twelve

"Fuckin' Bullshit!"

Piper blinked, as we both entered the living room, Vi punching the wall hard enough to crack the wood, which, if it didn't auto-repair, I would've been annoyed at.

As it was… I kind of understood.

"Jayce?" the blue-haired girl sitting nearby asked, unsure. "What happened?

"Yeah, Jayce, what the fuck happened!?" the white-haired teen demanded. "Why don't you tell her!?"

At Piper's now moderately worried look, I smiled, giving her a thumbs up, "We found Silco!"

Several emotions flashed over the younger sister's face, confusion, understanding, confusion, anger, and then confusion again, before she finally asked, "Then… Why is Vi mad?"

"Because he made me let the fucker walk!" the brawler spat.

"Turns out he's the one bankrolling the Justifiers, though he's only one of three in charge," I explained. "Also, turns out they worship Justice… kind of, in a 'please dear god don't come back way."

Piper considered that, then started giggling, devolving into gales of levity, falling down onto the couch she was sitting on, having sat up straight when we'd entered.

"You're laughing!?" the older sister demanded, angry, but also hurt.

The blue-haired girl just nodded. "Silco's paying to help the guy that wants him dead. It's a little funny, Vi."

The white-haired teen paused, then spun about. "Hey! You're 'Justice', why can't you just order the others to take him down!?"

I sighed, "Because it doesn't work that way, Violletta." At her aggrieved look, I tried to explain it, "You know those lessons that I do for Piper and Caitlyn? The ones that aren't part of your basic education so you beg off of? This is one of them. Specifically about soft power."

"Ya mean where you're in charge but not really in charge!" the younger sister volunteered.

"Yes. Tell me, Vi, what would happen if I ordered the workers of the HALP center to toss Babette out?" I proposed.

"But you wouldn't!" she argued. At my flat look, she, to her credit, did think about it, finally answering, "Fine, they wouldn't, but this is different!"

"Yes, it's an even worse situation," I agreed. "Because their 'JUSTICE' is just me in a coat with tech that doesn't exist yet. Without magic, which I won't have until I have a Mage to copy from, I seem entirely normal, and it's just that, like this place, I've got a number of tools that shouldn't really exist. I talked a good game and was… somewhat upset when they saw me, and for damn good reason, but that's led to them mythologizing me quite a bit."

Sighing, I walked over to the couch Piper was sprawled out on, and took a seat on its arm. "Babette's people know me, and know that I am, indeed, the one backing everything, and who I say I am. But Silco's not dumb, which is what makes this entire thing so much harder, and he would absolutely call me a 'fake' if I tried to come out and take over the organization that, ostensibly, follows my 'teachings', especially as a plurality, if not a majority of its members have never seen 'JUSTICE' in person themselves."

It was one of the things they'd warned us about, in that 'How to run a cult' Seminar I'd taken in Basic, years ago, though the name had been innocuous, like 'Community Building 101' or something similarly inane. It was a pretty common problem there. "But, we've made progress, and if I can get him to meet me in a way that I can use to set up his death without it getting, rightly, pinned on either of us, that'll take care of things fairly simply. Truly, the benefits of a well-placed bomb are so often overlooked."

"I, what? You'd just blow him up?" Vi questioned, and I realized that we'd talked about taking down Silco, but as we'd never be able to find him, the specifics had been left vague.

"Yes? I mean, if I got a line on him, and one of Cait's rifles, I wouldn't be averse to painting the back wall of his office with his brains. It's all the same in the end," I shrugged.

The Zaunite's face screwed up in disgusted rejection, "What? No. He needs to pay for what he did!" she shouted, as if I was being unreasonable, and I understood.

… Fuck.

"Yes. And he will. With his life," I answered slowly, thoughts racing on how to handle this, lessons on how to use this revelation to twist her coming to mind, but, no, it needed to be handled directly, and, with her clearly reverting a bit, niceness would only be regarded as weakness, though it'd be best to keep the verbal claws retracted until she called me a 'Pilty', which… would not be a good thing. "Short of true repentance, which we both know will never happen, he is going to die, the only question is when. Hell, if I had a button that'd kill him, I'd offer it to you right now, but it's not that simple."

From the look of her, I was not dealing with smart Vi, who had a streetwise wisdom and possessed a great deal of innate kinesthetic skill, I was dealing with emotional Vi, who was… a bit of a different person, as she glared at me, and insisted, "No! He has to suffer!"

Piper moved to argue, but I held up a forestalling hand, because I wasn't sure that Vi wouldn't, feeling as betrayed as she obviously was, lash out at her sister.

Again.

Because while the brawler had gotten better, some of these issues were near foundational, and which I'd realized I couldn't chip away at on my own, at least while everything was going well, and while the blue-haired girl was leagues better than she would've been normally, introducing another fracture point between them was not what I wanted.

"Why?" I questioned calmly, meeting her furious gaze with an unflinching yet curious one of my own.

"Because of what he did!" the older girl declared, starting to sneer, "Or are you sayin' that you think he shoul-"

"VI," I cut her off, my voice a whip-crack that made her flinch. "I would prefer it if you did not put words in my mouth. I have stated Silco is to die for what he has done. You have stated he must suffer. I want to know why you believe that death is not good enough." Seeing her start to respond instantly, giving the subject zero thought, I cut her off, adding, "And repeating 'because of what he did', tells me nothing new. Actually, better question, if I could conjure him here, into this very room, what would you do to him?"

That put her on the back foot, likely having not that far, "I'd beat the shit out of him!" her default response.

I let out a long breath, because, right, she might be eighteen, but she was, in many ways, emotionally stunted by her upbringing, and by her trauma. "To death?" I inquired.

"I, no, that's not good enough," she shot back, and, as I made a 'go on' gesture, she didn't understand it, demanding, "What?"

"Then what would you do next?" I pressed. "Silco is now bleeding, bruised, likely with broken bones, on the ground, say, by that chair, probably unconscious," I stated. "What do you do next?"

Frowning, "I, I don't know. Tie him up. And when he wakes up, beat him again!"

"Vi, that's torture," Piper argued, before I could say anything.

"You think he-" the older sister started to demand, but I cut her off, before it could devolve. Devolve further.

"Piper," I interrupted, and Violetta started to argue, only to stop as she processed whose name I had called. "I appreciate the contribution, but this is a fight between your sister and I right now, and I would prefer to keep it that way."

The blue-haired girl frowned my way. "But she's the one being-"

"Piper," I warned, reproachfully, voice then softening, "Please, trust me on this one."

Vi started to respond, but I held up a hand in her direction, and momentarily sent her a hard look, causing her to balk long enough for her sister, not entirely happy, to nod, and reply, "… Okay, Jayce. I trust you," she added, in what was clearly a dig at her sister, but I accepted it at face value, nodding to the younger girl, before turning to face the older.

"So, Violetta, tell me, have you ever tortured someone?" I questioned her seriously.

"What? No, of course not," she answered, somewhat seeing the trap, "but I'd make an exception for him! And, what, you have?" she almost spat, disbelievingly.

"Yes," I answered easily, standing, and now both girls were looking at me in disbelief. "I was not in a position where I could say no, but was allowed to choose my victim, should I be able to subdue them. They gave me the mistake of giving me time to consider my target. I chose them. Their superior thought it was hilarious but I had to do a good job if I was to leave intact."

"… Shurima's terrible," Piper whispered in horror.

"Some parts of it are quite nice," I deflected. "Some parts of it are not." Directing my attention towards the older sister, I noted, "So, yes, Vi, I do in fact know what it's like to intentionally cause pain, to tear off bits of someone, with great care, not to do damage, but to maximize suffering, until their mind snaps and all that is left is crying, jabbering, meat devoid anything other than base animal terror. But that is also why I would not wish that upon you."

"Not to be the tortured," I clarified, as she took a step back, worried, not really processing what I was saying in the moment, "though, obviously, that as well, but to be the torturer. It tears at you, and you instinctively try and mentally pull away from it, twisting yourself in any attempt to justify the unjustifiable, and, in doing so, spiritually poison yourself to numb the psychological wounds, like someone else would drown themselves in booze rather than deal with a persistent injury, not realizing that they're fucking up the healing process by doing so."

Taking a slow step forward Vi, she started to retreat, caught herself, and firmed her stance, as I closed, leaving myself open, though prepared to dodge if she took a swing, stopping in front of her, lifting a hand to rest it on her shoulder. "Silco is the type who would torture someone, not ostensibly for fun, but, given an excuse, he would, and he would enjoy it. Vander would not. And, knowing all we've found out about that piece of filth, that heterochromatic snake would absolutely see it as a victory against Vander to try and turn his daughter into something more like himself than the man he came to hate, merely because Vander wanted to protect people. And, most importantly, Vander would not want you to do so on his behalf. Or am I wrong?"

Struggling with herself, visibly resisting the urge to knock my hand away, the young woman, haltingly, admitted, "He… wouldn't. But, but I want him to hurt. Is, is that that bad?"

The vulnerable, lost, pained look she sent my way made me move before I really considered everything fully, bringing her in for a hug that made the girl go perfectly still, as I brought my arms around her, and reassured her, "It makes you human, Vi. And trust me, I understand."

Hesitantly, I felt her hold on to me in turn, and, with a look towards, Piper, the girl thudded into both of us, happy to help, causing the brawler to let out a pained laugh, the blue-haired girl's earnestness a balm on her soul.

"It just hurts," Vi admitted, her head resting against my chest, a rage smoldering in her words, no longer blazing, but still very much there. "It…"

"It gnaws at you," I agreed calmly, not moving, unable to judge what would be too much, and, honestly, surprised she hadn't punched me in the kidneys, reflexively if nothing else. "It wraps around your heart, heating your blood, whispering to you that what you have done is not enough, that you will fail unless you keep going, and that you can never, never rest."

"You… you know?" the girl in my arms asked, in disbelief, causing me to chuckle.

Holding her momentarily tighter, so she didn't take it wrongly, I informed her, "Yes, Vi, I know what it is to HATE. I know it very, very well. Just as I know one must master one's Hate, or it will master you."

"… not going to tell me to let it go?" she questioned, not pushing away, to my surprise, but, apparently, she needed this. I'd been giving her space, but… had that been a mistake?

"Could you?" I asked in turn, and her lack of a response was a response itself. "Would you like to know a secret? Neither can I. But I use it to motivate myself, not to determine my actions. Though, trust me, no one does what I have if they're content."

We were both silent for a long moment, before Vi pushed away from me, and I stepped back. Piper, taken by surprise, let out a little yelp as she was dragged my way, stumbling to keep standing. I caught her with one hand, the brawler glancing at her sister with amusement, before looking my way, asking me, "But, who do you hate? Silco?"

"Evil People, Injustice, Myself a little," I shrugged. "Hate drove me to putting on a costume, jumping off a cliff, and diving headfirst into a firefight to save Piper, then into the depths of Stillwater to save you, killing every single Enforcer there, because they were hypocritical monsters who violated their oaths, either in the commission of Evil, or in support of it. It's toxic, don't get me wrong, but so is Chemtech, let alone the truism that All Medicines are Poisons. And I think I make it work," I offered with a smirk.

The young woman stared at me for a long moment, mulling that over. "And Caitlyn? Who does she hate? Or… what?"

I blinked as the concept… did not compute. "She doesn't." At Vi's visible confusion, I gestured to the couch, turning to Piper and, taking a moment to center myself, asking, "Do you mind grabbing drinks?"

"Uh, don't start without me?" she requested, and I nodded, the shorter girl dashing off for the kitchen. Walking past Vi, who'd sat where I'd directed, the young woman momentarily stiffening for one of about five different reasons, she relaxed as I plopped down in a different seat, letting out a long sigh, and fully recentering myself.

Less than a minute later, my lab partner returned, handing her sister her soda, myself my sweet tea, then, starting to move towards me, I caught Piper's eye and glanced to her sister, the blue-haired teen nodding and sitting down next to Vi with her own mug of juice firmly in hand.

"Okay," I mused. "So. Some things are universal. Hate, Violetta, the kind that we both have? It isn't. The issue is one of language. Because Piltovan," and English, "don't really have the words to differentiate it easily. Noxian kind of does, but those are more relating to one's tendency to commit violence, where Hate, as we're discussing it, is of the 'we both cannot exist under the same sky' variety, at maximum intensity. Necril has that distinction, and, how are you coming along, with that?" I inquired.

"$I am not harmful with it,$" she replied, after a moment of thought, her diction choppy and without nearly enough hissing, Powder narrowing her eyes at the statement.

"I think you mean $bad$ or $unskilled$, not $harmful$, though you're technically correct," I nodded, smiling encouragingly. "But, so, translation with language comes in two steps. The first, is, well, translation, where you're going for one-to-one swaps with your original language. Later on, and, to be fair, it's something that I struggle with, is the deeper understanding. To the point that not keeping violence in mind is odd for a Noxian, or of doing things without them being part of a larger responsibility, one way or another, is a bit awkward to consider for a native Necril speaker. Either through prior agreement or in exchange for something else. And that's before you get into the difficulties in dealing with, say, cultures whose language has no future tense, but I'm getting off topic," I mused, taking a sip of my tea, and nodding my head in thanks to Piper, who'd made it perfectly, as usual.

"This makes discussing them difficult, because, if you were to ask Cait, she would say she hates, or at least knows what it's like," I stated. "But… she doesn't. Her background is too supportive, her belief in the justness of her world too strong, and her life has… gone too well to ever lead her to Hate, as we do. But, that's not a bad thing," I winced, "and, and I wished that you didn't have that part of you either, but, but that's not the life you have. Not anymore. Because, and please, be honest, you didn't feel this way before Vander died, did you?"

"I hated…" Vi started to argue, but fell silent. 'I hated the Pilties' almost certainly was the thought she caught, but held back, because, no, no she didn't. "So, what, Cupcake's like me? Like I used to be?"

Wiggling a hand, I argued, "Eh, in this respect, yeah, but, no, you have entirely different life experiences. She does have a good heart, wants to help people, just like you do." Seeing the white-haired woman start to argue, I questioned, "Or are you telling me you hanging out in the HALP center isn't you trying to help make it a place people can go if they need to?"

Frowning, she took a sip of her cinnamon soda, demanding, "Do you need to be such a dick about it?"

"No, but I find it amusing," I answered with a smile, though one that faded. "But, on topic, would the old you have understood what you feel now? Or would, hearing the explanation, you would only think you did?" At Vi's grimace, I nodded. "And that's the issue with Caitlyn. Or, well, most people, really. Though, to be honest, it would be easier to say we're the ones with issues, but same difference in the end. Now, people can understand, all that bullshit about 'until you experience it you can't know' so much apologia for otherwise inexcusable answers, as well as an implicit admission of one's inability to proper communicate, but also to understand such a… difference in mentality, a person needs to get past the basic conceit of all thinking beings: 'Everyone is like me.' Because we mirror ourselves to understand others, at least at first. But moving beyond that is… not easy."

Watching Vi, I took heart in the fact that, despite her preference for actions over words, this conversation hadn't gone completely off the rails. It'd just had a few… unexpected transfers. She was thinking, hard, and Piper leaned over to bump shoulders with her sister, giving the brawler a supportive smile, which helped.

Finally, the young woman looked up from her soda, and asked, "Does it get easier?"

"Yes," I answered without hesitation. "Absolutely. It never stops being a struggle, but, then again, that's life, in a way. Falling to it… you've seen those people. Twisted. Broken. Often dead, either by the hand of another, or themselves. Silco is one, and ending him is, in some ways, as much mercy as it is a punishment."

"I've been… tired, at times, Vi," I admitted, though, whether it be the Company Defenses, or the two before me, along with Viktor and Caitlyn, those times were far rarer. "Times where I considered stopping. Forever. The pain too great to keep going. The fight seemingly unwinnable. But neither of those are true, and that struggle, it sharpens you, strengthens you. Also, and this is something too many people don't get, but just as someone who hasn't had that Hate in their heart can rely on others to support them, with it, having people you trust, knowing you aren't alone, can help when you start to falter. You have Piper. You have me. And, though she'd give you a rash of shit for it if you needed her help, while still supplying it, you have Caitlyn, though, be honest, you'd do the same right back," I teased, getting a chagrined smile from the other girl, the expression small, but present.

Several moments of silence passed between the three of us, before she spoke up again. "But we are going to kill Silco."

"Oh, without a doubt," I agreed without hesitation. "It's a when, not an if that he dies. Though if he was torn apart by one of his own creations, I'd take the win and move on, even though I'm sure you'd find it a bit harder."

"And then the Hate?" she questioned, 'Will go away?' the unspoken second half of her question.

I shook my head sadly, "Settling that Karmic Debt will help, but, no, as far as I know it will never truly go away. Well," I hedged, as there were no true superlatives when it came to the Multiverse. "It's possible, but, short of becoming essentially a completely different person, finding enlightenment, and so on, as far as I'm aware? No. And almost all of those who claim to, they've just clamped down on it so hard they've convinced themselves it has, but, well, it's a struggle, and when you stop fighting, you fall, and that's just another path to corruption. It's not good, or bad, just like growing up is neither, though, perhaps that's a biased comparison," I realized. "Regardless, it gets better, or, are you going to tell me, before today, and with it coming roaring to the surface, that feeling was becoming easier to live with?"

"Until today," she echoed, pissed. "Then it wasn't."

"And it will wax and wane," I agreed readily. "You just need to learn how to handle it a bit more actively. That said, you're doing better, Violetta." At her incredulous look, I pointed out, "If you'd seen Silco a year ago, I'd, at best, be having to figure out a way to try and keep the Justifiers from killing us all, at worst, be bandaging my wounds while telling Piper why she no longer has a sister. But you controlled yourself. You trusted me. And I appreciate that. You're already getting a handle on it. Just keep going, like I have, that's all I ask."

With a sour look, she threw back the last of her soda, slamming the glass on the side table, as she stood. "I… I'm gonna go for a run."

"Understood. And, if you want to talk again, you know where to find me. Here, or would you like me to open a Gate?" I questioned.

"… Here'd be safer," she decided, starting to head for the door.

"Like I said, getting better," I smiled.

Taking a few steps over to me, and to push my head to the side as she left, the brawler rebuked, "I get it. Dick."

"Love ya too, Vi," I shot back, without meaning too, my guard having dropped, relieved this conversation had gone well, and, freezing, as that wasn't planned, I saw the girl had turned red as she hurried out the door.

Smooth, dumbass, I rebuked myself, taking another sip of my drink and setting it aside, closing my eyes and leaning back, still trying to process, myself what the fuck I was going to do about Silco.

Hearing Piper get up, and move towards me, I wasn't surprised in the slightest to feel her plop down on my lap, her weight on my right leg, and didn't move until, she asked, voice small, "Jayce?"

Guessing where she was going with this, a task made exponentially easier by knowing how she would've fractured, if it hadn't been for me, I asked, not opening my eyes, "You too, huh?"

"… Yeah."

"And it's not directed towards Silco, is it?" I questioned, trying to keep my voice as kind as I could.

"…No."

Reaching out blindly, I put my hand on her far shoulder, bringing her in to lean against me, she was tense, but the teen slowly curled up, as I comfortingly stroked the child's arm, having expected this as well, which is why I'd admitted to my own Self-Hatred.

"It's not entirely your fault," I reminded her. "Not even half. But that only helps a little. Doesn't it?"

The tiny tinkerer didn't say anything. but nodded. Eventually, she asked, "It gets better?"

"Hasn't it?" I checked, and she shrugged, which… wasn't good.

"Piper, think about it this way. I'm good at what I do, but without you I wouldn't've done half of what I had," I proposed.

Feeling her pull away, I opened an eye, to see her looking at me incredulously. "Really?" she questioned, disbelieving, and, wincing, she quickly apologized. "Sorry, but-"

"Really," I agreed. "The Hexgate I'd pretty much figured out, but the Reclamation Array was very much your idea."

Considering that, she joked, "Which is why it summoned a squid that tried to eat everyone." Except, under that joke, was more self-hatred.

"And the Hextech Radio that connected us to some buried ancestral horror was my invention," I nodded, closing my eye. "Or, at least I hope it's buried. Eh, it's been months and it hasn't showed up, so we're probably fine."

"But you didn't know that was going to-" I reopened my eye to stare at her flatly. "… Oh."

Closing it again, I smirked, victorious, causing the girl to lightly hit me in the chest in annoyance, before going back to leaning against me. "Jayce? Thanks for… being there."

"You're welcome," I nodded. "Vi is too."

Piper snorted derisively, "When she isn't having 'a moment', you mean." I opened my mouth to object, but she informed me, "Or wasn't I being quiet so she wouldn't go after me too?"

Right. Genius. "Vi is too when she isn't overcome by her own issues," I agreed. "Which is, like, ninety-five percent of the time."

"Seventy-five," the chemtech specialist disagreed. "She avoids you sometimes. Cause you're 'all talky and stuff'."

Nodding, I admitted, "I am, indeed, 'all talky and stuff', so, fair enough. But that's still over half the time she's there for you!"

"You're there for me all the time," she argued, idly drawing a shape on my shirt with a finger. "And I like you being 'talky'."

"But we're both there for you in general, and one-point-seven-five is larger than one," I reminded the child. "And I do spend a lot more time with you than I do her, probably for that reason."

She relaxed a bit more, finally asking, "So… 'Love ya too, Vi?'"

"I was responding to her statement's subtext," I explained, a little defensively. "That I, as she does, understand that, despite our respective prickliness, do care for her, and won't take her seeming insults literally, and instead receive them as they are intended: as affectations of fondness and trust that she's not comfortable voicing directly. Except, you know, I did."

"Uh huh," the blue-haired girl responded, trying not to laugh, falling silent for a bit, as I just relaxed, still trying to figure out how to get to Silco, but… no, I didn't have enough data yet to make any kind of subtle plan, and any non-subtle plan had an unexpectedly high chance of him zigging when I needed him to zag, especially as I'd likely only get the one chance before he realized the otherwise unaffiliated 'Pilty' wanted him dead.

And, worse, if he made a connection to 'JUSTICE', well, while Piper looked different than Powder, two years of good food, clean air, and regular, mana-dense exercise helping her health, the girl shooting up and not seeming nearly as 'waifish', she was still recognizably her if you heard hoofbeats and thought zebras instead of horses.

"…Jayce?" the girl questioned, sounding worried enough that I opened my eyes, to see her looking up at me with wide blue eyes. She struggled with herself, and I waited, gently hugging her to encourage her. "Do, do you love me?"

I smiled, "Of course I love you, Piper," I told her, leaning forward to kiss her on the forehead, as, while I wasn't her father, I was effectively filling the same role. "Don't ever doubt that."

Going back to relaxing, she nodded, leaning back against me.

"Oh… okay… Good."