Chapter 18: To Convince

The staircase creaked under Tarren's boots as he descended into the basement beneath the Last Drop. The room was dimly lit by a few oil lamps scattered around, casting long, flickering shadows. A weird energy buzzed in the air, and it was clear the group hadn't expected him.

As soon as he entered, the kids sprang into action, fumbling to hide something on the couch. It was obvious and sloppy—like watching a group of thieves caught mid-heist.

"Hey~... Tarren," Vi greeted awkwardly, standing in front of the couch as though her body alone could block his view.

Tarren raised an eyebrow. "What's going on here?"

"Nothing!" Mylo blurted, his voice a few octaves higher than usual. He leaned casually against the table, nearly knocking over a lamp. "What are you doing here?"

Tarren folded his arms, his gaze sharp. "Can't I visit anymore?"

Vi hurriedly shook her head. "No, that's not it. It's just… you're different now. You look more topsider than undercity. I hate it."

Tarren shrugged, taking a step closer to the couch. "Gotta do what you gotta do to blend in."

He asked again, "So, how's everyone doing?"

"Good," Claggor said quickly, though his eyes darted nervously toward Vi.

"Bored," Mylo interjected. "Vander's been holding back on giving us jobs lately—"

Vi elbowed him sharply in the ribs, making him yelp.

"Really?" Tarren said, feigning innocence. "That's unfortunate."

"Yeah…" Claggor mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. "Heard someone messed with a crime boss's business. Vander's been... cautious."

Vi glared at him, clearly exasperated.

Tarren chuckled softly, lowering himself onto the couch. His sharp eyes scanned the room before landing on Ekko. "Spark," he said evenly. "You haven't told these idiots anything, have you?"

Ekko froze, stammering, "W-What do you mean?"

Tarren sighed, leaning down until his hand reached behind the couch. Before anyone could stop him, his fingers closed around the object they'd been trying to hide—a rolled-up map.

"What's this?" Tarren asked flatly, unrolling it on the table. His eyes traced the lines and marks that mapped out a path through Piltover.

"It's nothing!" Vi said, her voice defensive as she clenched her fists.

"A map of Piltover," Tarren murmured. "So, what's the plan? Something stupid, I'm guessing."

"Why are you calling us idiots?" Mylo protested, puffing out his chest.

"Because you are," Tarren snapped, slapping the map onto the table. "Do you have any idea what the enforcers will do to you if you're caught?"

"They won't find us," Vi said confidently, grabbing the map and retreating to a corner of the room. "And even if they do, it's none of your business. You left us to go topside."

Tarren rubbed his temples in frustration. "You don't know what you're doing."

"We've done plenty of jobs," Mylo argued.

Tarren stood, his voice colder now. "The undercity isn't Piltover. If you screw this up, the whole of the Lanes will pay the price."

Vi leaned against the wall, her defiance unshaken. "We'll be fine."

With a sudden movement, Tarren closed the distance between them, slamming his fist into the wall beside Vi's head. His face was inches from hers, his eyes blazing. "What makes you so confident? You've never even stepped foot in Piltover."

"I haven't," Vi admitted, her voice steady. She stared into his eyes, refusing to back down. "But Little Man has. He followed an academy student back to their house. He's got it all figured out."

Tarren sighed, exhaling slowly to calm himself. "Can we talk? Alone."

Vi hesitated, her jaw tightening. Finally, she muttered, "Fine."

—

The rooftop overlooked the jagged, chaotic sprawl of the undercity and the gleaming towers of Piltover beyond. The air was thick with smog, but up here, it felt a little freer. Vi sat on the edge, her legs dangling over the side, while Tarren stood behind her, his arms crossed.

"Why are you so reckless?" Tarren asked, his voice softer now. "Do you realize the danger you're putting everyone in? Mylo, Claggor, Powder... Vander?"

Vi chuckled humorlessly. "You're worried about Vander? That's new."

"He's not invincible, Vi," Tarren said. "He's just a man. And if you screw this up, Piltover will come down here like a hammer. They won't stop until they've crushed everything."

Vi rolled her eyes. "You really think we're that incompetent?"

"Yes," Tarren said bluntly. "The odds of you succeeding are slim to none."

Vi groaned, standing and pacing the rooftop. "Then help us."

"Help you? I'm trying to stop you," Tarren countered, exasperated. "If I help you and succeed, you'll ask my help again, and you'll do it again, so no."

Vi smirked faintly. "You've changed, you know. The old Tarren would've jumped at the chance to stick it to Piltover."

"No I would not. If anything, you've grown wilder," Tarren shot back.

"Maybe," Vi admitted, her voice quieter now. "I just want something better. For Powder, for all of us."

"Then come with me," Tarren said, his tone almost pleading. "Give me a few months, and I'll have enough to get us a place topside. You'll have the life you want."

Vi's face hardened. "And mingle with the people who killed our parents? Who left us to rot here?" She shook her head. "I'm not like you. I can't just forgive them. I want a better life here, in the undercity."

"And you think stealing from Piltover will fix that?" Tarren asked, his voice filled with frustration.

"It's not just about fixing things," Vi said, her voice rising, and stood up from the edge to face Tarren. "It's about showing them we're not lesser. That we can fight back."

Tarren shook his head. "So it's all about your feelings."

Vi stepped closer. "Isn't everything?"

She started to walk away, but Tarren called after her, his voice softer now. "Violet. Don't do this. Please."

Vi paused, her shoulders tense. Without turning, she replied, "Fine." Then she disappeared down the stairs, leaving Tarren alone on the rooftop, staring out over the city.