Chapter 5.1 Vi

The Last Drop Bar, early morning, same day.

Vi ran a hand through her bright pink hair, which hung loosely to one side of her face, giving the effect of being slightly disheveled. It stood out for its rich color, as if it reflected her wild personality and stubbornness. The left side of her head was completely shaved, the result of an accident where something got tangled in it. At the time, it seemed like a forced decision, but Vi liked the result so much that she made it her signature. The contrast between the smooth shaved side and the thick, lush mass of hair on the other side was not only stylish, but also gave her a daring look.

On top, she threw on a simple white sleeveless shirt, which hung loosely on her shoulders. Her vest, although a little worn, emphasized her figure and looked like it had seen many fights. On her legs were loose pants with deep pockets, comfortable for movement and obviously practical for her lifestyle. Everything about her appearance screamed freedom and confidence - from her clothes to her upright posture and cheeky gaze.

She sighed, combing her hair back and over her right arm with her hand and finally tore herself away from the mirror. It was early morning and everyone was asleep.

The room that served as a refuge for the young inhabitants of Zaun was cramped but cozy, as if woven from a mixture of hope and the harsh reality in which they lived. The space was divided into two parts - each reflecting the character and habits of those who inhabited it.

In one half there was a bunk bed, where Vi and her younger sister Powder usually slept. The top bunk, which belonged to Vi, looked severe and minimalist - only a dark woolen blanket and a couple of pillows. The walls nearby bore the marks of scratches and dents, reminders of her training. The lower tier, on the other hand, was a real chaos of comfort. Powder had decorated her bed with stuffed animals, a rough embroidered pillow, and a colorful patchwork quilt. Her drawings, diagrams, and sketches hung next to it, reflecting her rich imagination.

The other half of the room housed Milo's and Claggor's beds. Milo's corner was more functional: his bed always looked disheveled, and gloves, bandages, and tools were scattered on top of the blanket. Next to the bed was a wooden box, where he seemed to have hastily thrown all his things, creating a sense of perpetual haste. Claggor's bed looked a little neater, with a pillow under a thick brown blanket, and tattered books lying on the box at the head of the bed - the only things he seemed to carefully protect.

The overall space of the room was modest, but it breathed life. In the center was a low table with a metal surface, on which were mixed tools, jars and salvaged items needed for their forays. The floor was wooden, but it was riddled with cracks, which added to the impression of age. A single window, covered with a worn cloth, let in a meager light, painting the room in grayish tones. On the walls hung crooked shelves with jars, tools and strange finds collected from the most dangerous corners of Zaun.

A lamp hung from a chain from the ceiling, giving off a dim but warm yellow light. It was old, but it always served them, creating the feeling that in this small world there was always a corner where one could hide from the darkness of the outside world.

Powder slept soundly, curled up under her colorful patchwork blanket. Her blue hair was spread out on the pillow, curling slightly at the ends, giving her the look of the carefree child she still was. Her face was peaceful, her slightly pink cheeks trembling in time with her quiet breathing. Her small hand clutched one of her favorite stuffed animals to her chest - an old stuffed rabbit with a torn-off ear, which she never let go of, even in her sleep.

Around her, on the lower bunk, reigned the same creative disorder that was so often associated with her energy and curiosity. A twisted drawing hung on the corner of the bed, and several mechanisms that she had not managed to finish were scattered on the floor. But at this moment, Powder looked completely different: carefree, as if all that worried her were vivid dreams that carried her away somewhere far away.

Vi stood next to her, looking at her sister with a soft, almost maternal gaze. At that moment, memories of what they had to go through in this cruel world flashed through her mind, and the thought that she needed a little more time to prepare Powder for real danger nested in her consciousness. After all, with her help, Powder had more time to remain a child. Vi herself did not have such a luxury at her age.

"You will be ready soon," Vi whispered softly, as if promising this not only to her sister, but to herself as well. She sat down on her sister's bed and gently stroked her cheek.

The other room was less cozy, but still familiar. Vi walked across the couch and several armchairs with a small table to where her ' younger brothers' were sleeping. Milo and Claggor's beds were located opposite each other, with a small space in between, which they often used to store their things.

Milo, a lanky, skinny teenager with a sharp nose and a slightly cocky expression, slept sprawled out on his bed. His dark hair stuck out in all directions, as if he had forgotten to tuck it in before going to sleep. His personal belongings lay next to him: a knife hastily assembled from scraps of metal, and a small box in which he kept a collection of trophies - small items that he picked up after successful sorties. Even in sleep, Milo looked slightly tense, as if ready to jump out of bed at any moment and rush into battle.

Klaggor, on the other hand, looked much calmer. A strong, stocky young man with a round face and warm eyes, he slept on his side, covered with his old but reliable blanket. His brown hair was cut short, and on the nightstand next to him stood the tools that he almost always carried with him. He was a master of his craft, and it always showed in his neatness: even his things were folded in a box, and his shoes were placed neatly by the bed, with their toes pointing forward.

Vi stopped between their beds, looking at both friends. Milo, despite his character, was reliable in difficult moments, and Klaggor was her support and support. Together with Powder, they were her family, the only one she had left.

"As usual, they can't wake up on their own," Vi said with a grin, kicking Milo's dangling leg. "Get up!"

"Hey, ouch!" - Milo winced and immediately pulled his legs up to his chest, as if that would save him from the next kick. He raised himself up on his elbows, narrowing his eyes at Vi. - "Why so rude? I'm almost awake already... I guess."

"You've been 'almost waking up' like that for ages", - Vi chuckled, crossing her arms over her chest. - "If I hadn't kicked you, you'd have been lying around for another hour."

Milo yawned, stretching demonstratively.

"So much for your gratitude", - Milo grumbled. - "What if I grow up crooked because of such methods of awakening?"

"It's okay, with your character no one will notice the difference", - Vi chuckled, turning her gaze to Claggor, who continued to sleep peacefully despite the noise.

"And this one doesn't care at all", - Milo noted, waving his hand in Claggor's direction.

"He's lucky I'm going to start with a gentler approach," Vi said, leaning over Claggor's bed. She shook his shoulder lightly, but Claggor didn't even stir.

"Clag, come on, get up already. We need to go," she said louder.

Claggor cracked one eye open, muttering something unintelligible in displeasure.

"Five more minutes..." he said sleepily, clearly not fully awake. He tried to roll over, but Vi's strong grip kept him in one position.

"You've had five minutes all night!" Vi grabbed his shoulders and shook him lightly.

"Okay, okay, I'm getting up," he muttered, sitting up slowly in bed and rubbing his eyes. "What happened?"

"Nothing new, just gotta get going," Vi commanded, heading for her backpack, which she'd dropped on the couch last night before bed. It was practically empty, for the mission. She glanced quickly at Claggor and Milo, then picked up the backpack and slung it over her shoulder. There was no point in putting it off, time was running out.

Milo, watching her, sighed heavily, pulling on his boots. His face was as worried as always, and he clearly wasn't thrilled about having to rush off again in the morning. He fastened his belts, standing up and stretching slightly.

"Never lets me sleep peacefully," he muttered with mock resentment, knowing for sure that it wouldn't save him.

"Is there something you don't like?"

Vi grinned, her gaze full of mischievous but firm determination. She looked at Milo, who was unhappy with his situation. Hearing Vi's words, he straightened up as if to a string and swallowed.

"No, ma'am."

"That's right. We'll sleep after the job," she responded with slight irritation, but there was also a slight irony in her voice. "If everything goes well. Vander asked to find out the details from him early in the morning."

Milo sighed, standing up and already approaching his backpack. He looked at its contents with a sleepy look for a long time. Klaggor, in turn, had already managed to get up and began to pull on his vest. He felt an internal readiness in himself, despite all the morning sleepiness. He knew that he needed to approach the job with all seriousness. Quickly getting ready, he checked his things, making sure that he had everything he needed, and smiled slightly.

"Well, shall we go then?" he said, approaching Vi and Milo, ready to move.

Vi nodded and turned to the door. Her gaze became focused again, despite her fatigue. She knew that new challenges lay ahead, and she needed to be prepared for anything.

The three of them stood there, ready to move, when suddenly a slight rustling sound came from behind them. They turned around at once. Powder was standing in the doorway, her head slightly bowed, clutching her toy to her chest. The light morning light fell on her hair, which was disheveled, and her eyes were sleepy, but still full of curiosity.

"Are we going to work already?" she asked, clearly displeased that she had not been woken up earlier. One hand continued to hold the toy, and with the other she rubbed her eye, as if she did not care at all about the situation.

"Here it goes again," Milo muttered, hiding his reaction. He knew that all this could be expected from her. "Hey, say something. She's going to bring us misfortune again."

Vi, hearing his words, instantly turned around and hit him in the stomach with her elbow, so sharply that Milo almost doubled over. He held back a huff, still standing before her gaze that could pierce stone.

"Shut up," she whispered sharply, her voice quiet but with such a hint of menace that Milo knew it wasn't worth arguing.

Powder stood there silently, her eyes still half asleep, but interest was beginning to creep into her gaze. With every step she took, everything seemed a little less normal. She had always been the youngest in their group, and so compared to her more talented older sister, she was lost, and not trusted in many ways. Vi sighed and, without taking her eyes off her sister, came closer.

- Forgive me, Powder. Could you stay home today? - She asked with a slight note of concern in her voice. But she knew that her little sister would most likely not back down so easily.

Powder did not answer right away, she just came closer and looked at her with a meaningful look, in which a little resentment and excitement ran because she was again being left out and not taken on a case.

- What? But you promised me yesterday that you would take me with you on a case today? - She asked emotionally.

Vi bit her lip for a moment, realizing that if she tried to dissuade her, it would be in vain. Powder always found ways to ask to be there. They were all walking this path together, and each of them was an integral part of this story. However, she wanted to give her little sister a better childhood than she had. And she often shielded her from the errands they went on.

"Sorry, Powder," Vi said, walking up to her little sister and grabbing her by the shoulders. "But we'll be gone all day today, I'm worried that you might not be able to handle the workload today."

Hearing her sister's words, Powder looked up at her. Sadness and resentment began to rage inside her.

"But you promised!" She threw up her hands. "I know I can be useful this time. Yes, I admit, last time I slipped and fell several floors down and had to go back for me. But that won't happen this time!"

Vi looked at her little sister, feeling Powder's resentment slowly pouring into her heart. With each passing second, she felt a growing anxiety – not only because Powder was so insistent, but also because she might not be taking her seriously. Vi always tried to protect her sister from unnecessary risks, from the dangers that they constantly encountered on their way. But there was not only stubbornness in her gaze, but also determination, and Vi could not completely ignore the fact that Powder felt like a part of their group, that she really wanted to help.

"Powder, you don't understand that this is dangerous. We can't just take risks like that!" Vi felt her voice becoming softer and softer. She squeezed her shoulders a little tighter, trying to express her concern, but Powder didn't seem to perceive it.

"You don't trust me, do you? Do you think that I can't handle it?" Her voice wavered, and Vi felt her heart squeeze with pain. Powder, although she was younger, had long understood what was happening around her. And she was offended that her sister did not believe in her powers.

"I just don't want you to get hurt," Vi said quietly. There was a heaviness in her chest, and she knew she couldn't just brush this situation aside. She couldn't go against what she felt deep down, but she also knew that as the eldest, it was more important to her to keep her younger sister safe.

"You're always like this," Powder pressed her lips together as if trying to hold back tears, but her small hands curled into fists, clearly showing how much Vi's words had hurt her. "You think I'm weak. But I want to be like you. I can be useful!"

Vi stood, and her gaze softened. There was a struggle in her soul, between wanting to protect and wanting not to limit her sister. Powder was her only family, and she had always tried to shield her from the worst, but maybe she should have realized that her little sister wasn't as fragile as she thought.

"Okay," Vi said quietly, letting go of Powder's shoulders. - If that's what you want, I'll take you with me. But you promise me that you'll listen to me and won't take risks! We still have to be careful.

Powder looked at her with incredible determination, her face lit up with joy again.

"I promise! I'll be careful, you won't regret it!"

Vai smiled, but there was a slight worry in her heart. So be it, she'll need extra supervision during the case.

"Well, go pack your things, I'll give you two minutes", - he nodded his head.

Powder ran back to the room to get something she might need. Vi looked at her with a small smile, which faded when she heard Milo grumbling behind her.

"Why!" - he exclaimed in a whisper. - "She'll screw up again somewhere, and I'll get another punches in the face!"

"Milo, shut up," she hissed back at him, and he fell silent.