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Vander hadn't stepped onto Piltovian soil in years. As the unofficial "Hound" of the Undercity and the man who established the rough order of The Lanes, his presence was a political lightning rod. The last time he had crossed the bridge with intent, the stone was covered in the bodies of his fallen rebels.
Now, he was back, driven by a different kind of desperation: his troublesome "eldest daughter," Vi, had caused a massive mess at the Academy. He truly didn't know what was going through her head. The Academy? It was the most sensitive nerve in Piltover.
Smack!
Vander struck Mylo's head hard as they traversed the rooftops.
"Dad! Why'd you hit me?" Mylo cried out.
"Nothing, just had an itchy hand," Vander grunted. He was frustrated, and Mylo was the convenient outlet for a father's anxiety. Fortunately, he had adopted sons; he wouldn't dream of hitting the girls, but the boys were built for the "traditional" family education he'd received himself.
They vaulted onto the balcony of the student apartment. Vander took a deep breath, more nervous than he had been charging Enforcer gunlines. He pushed the door open, expecting to find his children bound and bruised.
Noodles and Negotiation
Instead, Vander found a scene of domestic absurdity. Vi was perched on a chair, slurping a bowl of steaming noodles with zero table manners. Powder sat next to her, eating with surprising poise. Claggor was finishing his broth, looking like he wanted to ask for seconds.
"Weren't you caught for a crime?" Vander asked, his brow furrowed in utter confusion.
"Committing a crime is one thing," Kael said, putting down his own chopsticks. "But it's not enough to deny them a bite to eat. Even a man going to the gallows gets a final meal."
Beside Kael, Caitlyn stood tall, her posture radiating noble authority. Vander recognized the weight of the situation instantly. He didn't waste time; he placed a heavy bag of pure gold coins on the table.
"My apologies. It's my fault for not disciplining them. This is compensation. If it's not enough, give me time to raise more."
Kael peered into the bag. "Sincere gold. I'll take it, and you take the people. Let's call it making a friend. I might come visit you in the Undercity sometime."
Vander was stunned. Most Piltovans spoke of Zaun as a plague pit, but Kael spoke of it like a tourist destination. "If you do, find me at The Last Drop. Just give them Vander's name. Everyone in The Lanes knows me."
Sovereignty and Sisters
"Goodbye, kael. The noodles were delicious," Powder said, her large eyes blinking at Kael.
Kael reached out to ruffle her hair—which was much smoother than her sister's unwashed mane. "I'll cook them for you again next time."
"Don't touch my sister!" Vi barked, pulling Powder into a protective embrace and glaring at Kael like a puppy defending its favorite toy.
"Vi!" Vander reprimanded her, giving Kael an apologetic look before herding his brood toward the exit. The family disappeared over the rooftops, heading back to the lift before the bridge rose for the night.
The Pinky Swear
"Is it over just like that?" Caitlyn asked, watching them go.
"They didn't actually manage to steal anything," Kael replied, dividing the gold into two stacks and pushing one toward her. "Finders keepers."
Caitlyn swept the coins into her pocket. She didn't need the money, but she appreciated the gesture. She narrowed her eyes at Kael. "You're not really going down there, are you? It's dangerous."
"I am."
"Then you're taking me with you."
"Can I refuse?"
"Of course not!" Caitlyn hooked her pinky with Kael's. "Pinky swear. If you back out, you have to swallow a thousand needles."
"You still believe in that at your age?" Kael teased.
"What do you mean 'this age'? Am I old?" Caitlyn's gaze turned dangerous.
"Pretend I didn't say anything," Kael raised his hands in surrender.
The Aftermath in The Lanes
Back in the basement of The Last Drop, Vander's anger finally evaporated into a long sigh. "That kid didn't look sturdy... and you couldn't beat him?"
"His fists are like iron, Vander," Vi admitted, her stubbornness finally yielding to the memory of Kael's strength. "The three of us combined couldn't touch him."
"It was four!" Powder added weakly from the corner.
Vander leaned back, a look of genuine admiration on his face. "A brawler with brains. He's a prospect."
"So what? He's a Piltie," Vi spat sourly. "They don't care about us."
"Just because he's willing to communicate—to show kindness instead of calling the Enforcers—that's the most precious thing in this city, Vi. He might be the one to change Zaun."
Vi turned her head away, but secretly, she wasn't as angry as she looked. She had a bone to pick with Kael, sure, but she also had a strange desire to see him again—if only to pay back those punches.
"You're grounded for a week," Vander declared, his voice regaining its weight. "Don't even think about leaving The Lanes."
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