Friends?

It had been a week since that kiss and Jinx had barely said a word to you.

It was like she didn't know you. Even when she walked through the kitchens, or passed your patrol areas, she never so much as gazed your way. You were getting tired of it actually, you had opened up to her, trusted her, and not only had she just berated you for it. But she also hadn't opened up at all. In the moment, you thought the kiss was romantic, meaningful even a statement of love but now you wondered if it wasn't just a distraction.

It felt like a dream.

But only that, a fleeting moment... but could it even work between you two?

You were attracted to her and hopefully she felt the same, but maybe that was all it ever was... What else would you even have in common, other than being co-workers. But it was a good reminder for you at least. That only one person really mattered. And that was your sister.

You resolved to go to the topside this weekend and see her, you needed to see her.

And it was just your luck that Silco needed a few debt collectors this week, which would at least get you over the bridge, yet it was unlucky that Jinx volunteered too. You packed your bag and considered whether it was even worth it to come back to the slums. You needed to work but maybe there was a chance you could find something to do there, sleeping on the rooftops would mean that enforcers might not forcibly evict you within the first week and you could be closer to Angie.

There was one thing holding you back though, a person you would forever regret leaving. Or closure, you needed to know if there was something there, if that night meant anything to Jinx.

The walk there, just the two of you, Jinx with her usual outfit (plus a bandana and goggles which hid her face well enough to pass any guards without problem.) And you in more casual clothes for once, you had thrifted the leather jacket, it took a few washes to get rid of the black smudges and blood but you thought it looked pretty good these days. You stood in a line of people all waiting to have their permits, permissions and paper work checked before they could mingle with the glorious upper class.

She couldn't avoid you now.

"Jinx, can I ask did that night mean anything to you?"

"Why would it? You kiss people all the time don't you? as long as they look 'pretty' enough."

"No, I don't and you kissed me."

"You were looking at me like you wanted to and you could've turned away."

"I know, I wanted to kiss you-"

"Exactly!"

"But- I didn't kiss you for that-"

"So you don't think I'm pretty?"

"I of course I, Jinx, your just toying with me, please tell me what your really thinking."

"I'm thinking it was nice but I don't really need any liabilities right now."

"So that's all I am?"

"Your not strong enough to be anything else."

"And if I got stronger then you'd kiss me again."

"No promises."

You were next in line, you had more to say but Jinx walked ahead of you. Handing over her paperwork it was stamped and she was let through, she looked back at you as she walked away. But then she was gone into the city crowd. You walked up to the guard and got your paperwork checked. He stamped it and you were being let through when a guard stopped you. He held his hand up and two others flanked you, walking besides you like a escort.

"What's going on."

"We are not at liberty to say."

You hadn't done anything wrong, well not right now, but you still thought that they would march you to a boat and take you to that island prison, then you would never see Pilotover again.

But instead they let you to a municipal building and shoved you into a small office where they shut the door and locked it. Tea lay on the table, it was a pink colour with flowers at the bottom. After a half an hour, you were parched enough to drink some. A few more minutes and the door opened again.

A woman walked in, with dark skin and golden ornaments on her clothes and in her hair, she smiled at you and sat down at the desk.

"Hello there, I hope my guards treated you well. I told them to be delicate with you." She picked up the teacup you had not drank from and took a sip. "Blast cones can be so dangerous, but tempered right they have such a refined taste."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Mel, I am a council member, a new one but I carry ambitions which no other can compete with."

"Is that why I'm here, to help you achieve your dreams?"

"Not dreams, goals." She smiled.

"There is a warlord, a mafia boss, controlling the shimmer trade and so many other illegal transports. I want a more orderly option. One were we here at the council know how much is going in and out of Pilotover, of everything."

"You think I'd be a rat?"

"I don't want to know anything about your boss. In fact I have a offer for you. We have been watching you. I know that you want a better life for your sister, she's at Brightslingers Private School, isn't she."

"If you lay a hand on her-"

"I'm not barbaric... What I want is to give the same to you. My deal is become our new weapon dealer, sell to you boss, to anyone. Don't interrupt the shimmer trade but keep an eye out for us. You can even sell to guards. I'll get you the connections you need. You can have a house, a factory, I have sponsors for you that will get you all you need. And what I ask for in return is a receipt. For every weapon and to who it is sold too."

"How is that even profitable to you?"

"Oh no no, I won't pay a cent, the sponsors will. And I don't need to be involved but still get the benefits. We both do, don't you think?"

"You don't get your hands dirty and I give you information. Who has the most guards to arm, who's building armies, who is trying to resist. You think I would sell out my people?"

"Your people, that's a sense of kinship, but for what. What have they done for you? Do you really think your boss sees you as anything but a liability? You think your friends wouldn't sell you out for the same offer? That your sister wouldn't love to spend her days by your side?"

You couldn't answer. Her words struck to deep.

She slid a set of keys across to you.

"They're keys to your new home. Its not a mansion, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, some space and a garden. But stay there tonight and in the morning, tell me how you dream of living."

Its not a mansion.

You wandered what she defined as a mansion, it was one of many identical houses along the road. Three stories and a front garden, which was small but packed with statues, stone benches and roses. The house was beautiful too, it was old classic brick but redone and upkept to stay clean and classy. You slipped the key into the door when you heard a scream.

"Sibby!" She shouted and hugged you. She had started calling you that years ago, it was easier than sibling.

"Is this our house now? Your amazing, I'm so proud of you."

"Yes, it is." You opened the door to the lights and furniture. More than enough space for the two of you...

And even for one more.