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There's a small unassuming music shop on the west end of Piltover. They offer the freshest record releases and repairs on old or faulty gramophones. The shop is run by a bubbly young woman with luscious pink hair and the voice of an angel. But, she has a secret. She's the only soul on Runeterra that knows about the ghost of a hero that lives and works in the small apartment above the shop.
Jinx pokes her tongue out in concentration as she wrestles with a particularly stubborn lever. The smell of oil mixes into an odd concoction in combination with the fluffy scent of her pancakes. She's supposed to be having breakfast, part of a healthy diet or something, but she's close to perfecting her newest invention. With a bit more force than necessary she manages to jam the lever down long enough to close the case. Butterflies swirl in her stomach.
If this device functions alongside the other one she's already built, then she's just managed to make history.
"I thought we agreed to not work at the dining table." Seraphine chides as she saunters in with her own breakfast. She's got the newspaper tucked under her arm.
"I know, I know. But, I think I've torn down the wall, blown the building, exploded the elephant on mobile communication." Jinx bounces in her seat. "All I need is another rechargeable battery for this bad mamba jamba, and my walk'n talks will be a complete pair."
Seraphine giggles softly as she sits across from Jinx. She's planning on taking a trip over to the electronics store a few blocks down now that she's finished assembling the device. A gentle silence settles over the room as they enjoy their breakfast. Jinx loves living in these slow mornings.
The peace is interrupted when Seraphine gasps. "What's the goss?"
"It's awful, apparently a noble houses child whose wheelchair bound has been kidnapped from their school. They think an undercity gang did it, the hush company. They assume as a way to get back for the latest crackdowns on their operations."
The hush company, the worst of the worst gangs. Violet's pink hair flashes in her mind. She's married into a noble house.
"W-who is it?" Jinx asks, her throat suddenly feeling dry.
Dread settles where her excitement once bubbled. It feels like her heart has stopped beating in her chest. She already knows deep down to her very soul what Seraphine is about to say. Somehow even without being in Violet's life she's still managing to jinx it.
"The Kiramman's child, Ren I believe her name is. They're offering a sizable reward for her safe return."
Pink hot shimmer fueled anger courses through Jinx's body. It takes every ounce of self control to stop herself from shattering her glass in her hand. Bright amber eyes flash in Jinx's mind. Too many feelings vie for control. Anger, grief, worry swirl around her stomach.
There's one thing she knows for certain she won't fail another child, not this time. Abruptly Jinx shoves herself out of her chair.
"Jinx!?"
Jinx walks over to the concealed gun cabinet behind the large antique clock in the living room. With grim resolve Jinx punches in the code. 8-10-13. The safe beeps in confirmation. Wordlessly Jinx pulls Pow-Pow out from where it's been safely hidden. A bandolier of chompers, C4, and bullets lays across a shelf next to Zapper. The stinkmaw hood looms from where it's perched. Jinx takes a deep breath as she reaches for the hood.
She has to pull her short braid into a bun in order to don her hood again. Slipping on a matching cloak Jinx grabs the original walk'n talk before heading back into the dining room.
"Jinx what's going on?"
Jinx slides the second walk'n talk into her pocket. Seraphine's brow furrows as Jinx hands her the original device.
"I'm going to pick up a battery for this and then I'm going to take a short jaunt into Zaun. Should be back in time for dinner. I love you, with all my heart." Jinx leans in and kisses her. They brush noses as Jinx pulls back.
"But I don't understand? What business do you have in the undercity."
A shark toothed grin stretches across Jinx's face. Her trigger finger itching with pure malice. "Teaching the sump-fucks who stole my sister's daughter a lesson they'll never forget. Don't fuck with my family."
Zaun has been doing better for itself with Sevika on the council. It's still a shit-hole but it's a much nicer shit-hole Jinx notes as she ducks from street to street. She's already grabbed a battery and confirmed that the walk'n talk functions, even down here in Zaun. She has hers set to allow outgoing calls only. With her errand out of the way the first stop on her list is Sevika's bar. The New Oasis she calls it, as a way of honoring The Last Drop's legacy. A bit on the nose for Jinx's taste.
She manages to slink in with little issue. No one paying her much mind. With the slyness of a fox spirit Jinx saddles up to the counter. She spies a familiar face standing behind it. Jinx waits for chuck to finish serving another customer, then clears her throat to get his attention.
"What can I get for you?" Chuck asks offhandedly.
"I'm looking for information Chuck."
Chuck pales at the sound of her voice. His hands tremble as he drops the glass he'd been cleaning. The resulting crash does little to pull people's attention in the noisy bar.
"What kind of information are you looking for, Jinx?"
Jinx taps her fingers against the counter.
"The Hush Company, where do they keep the children?"
"Last I heard they got outta that trade. Least that's what they told the boss. I haven't a clue where they'd keep 'em if they're still in the business but I'm sure Sevika would know. She won't be pleased they haven't kept their end of the bargain."
There's no time to waste weighing whether revealing herself to Sevika is the right call or not. She needs to get to Ren, and she needs to get to her yesterday.
"Take me to Sevika, now!"
Chuck throws his towel into the sink as he frantically nods. He stumbles forward to open the bar gate. With a wave of his hand he motions for Jinx to follow as he heads up the staircase in the back. Chuck leads her to a wooden door in the small hallway. He knocks on the door four times.
"Boss, you got a visitor. Real important business." Chuck shouts, it's the loudest Jinx has ever heard the man speak.
There's the sound of muttered curses and shuffling behind the door. Jinx taps her foot impatiently as she waits for Sevika's permission to enter.
"Let 'em in."
Jinx nods her appreciation to Chuck as she opens the door and steps inside. The overwhelming stench of tobacco and sweat fills the room. Sevika sits behind a large desk her hair and shirt looking ruffled. The top few buttons of her shirt remain unbuttoned exposing the sides of her breasts. Sevika opens her mouth to bark out a furious remark, but the only noise that escapes her throat is a strangled cough of surprise.
"Jinx? How are you-" An exasperated sigh falls from Sevika's lips. "Who am I kidding of course you managed to survive. You're a Janna damned cockroach I swear."
"As much as I'd love to flaunt my continued existence I'm on a real time crunch. So let's cut to the chase. The Hush Company's kidnapped a kid, where are they keeping her?"
Sevika frowns pulling a cigar out of her shirt pocket.
"Shoulda known those slimy bastards would try to continue their unsavory operations. I've tried to keep 'em on a short leash. This is the first I've heard about it though."
"Evidently it wasn't short enough. Where's their headquarters located Vika?" Jinx growls.
Sevika takes a long drag of her cigar puffing out a perfect ring of smoke.
"They do everything out of the industrial sector, got a large factory there that they use as their base of operations." Sevika cocks an eyebrow. "You really gonna storm the place?"
"Till there's nothin left but a pile of corpses covered in rubble." Jinx answers before heading back to the door.
"Will I be seein you round then? Gotta admit never thought I'd miss the chaotic storm you leave in your wake, but it's been awful quiet down in Zaun these past few years."
Jinx stops at the doorway her hand gripping the doorknob.
"Not sure I'll have much of a choice. Seems I'm destined to live in the spotlight."
She leaves it at that not bothering to wait for Sevika's response. The moment she steps through the door Jinx takes off in a shimmer fueled sprint. It's a twenty minute walk from The New Oasis to the industrial district for any average person. But with the help of the shimmer in Jinx's veins she can make it there in just under five. The winding alleyways and chemlights of Zaun slowly bleed into harsh brick warehouses and factories. Jinx's muscles burn with exertion as she clambers up the rod iron fence that surrounds the largest factory in the district. She'll deal with the consequences of pushing her limits later, right now she has a job to do and she refuses to jinx it.
Jinx perches on top of the fence as she does one last check of her weapons. Pow-Pow has enough ammo in it to take down an army. Once she's satisfied with her weapon's conditions Jinx slyly drops down. The first guard is caught unaware, a single burst of Pow-Pow has him slumping like a sack of potatoes. Very, very mushy potatoes to be precise. Silence fills the air as the other goons take notice, then all hell breaks loose.
Guards screech out war cries as they charge towards her.
"Come on, shoot faster!"
Bullets whiz past in slow motion as Jinx delivers retribution with every shot from Pow-Pow. The guards outside are nothing more than low level street thugs. Light work for someone of Jinx's caliber. The courtyard is littered with bodies by the time she makes it to the entrance.
Inside the ear-piercing wail of an alarm blares overhead. Chross' goons filter in from every direction. Jinx pushes forward under a heavy volley of bullets. For every goon cut down two more appear to take their place. Not that it matters seeing as Chross has a limited supply of man power. And Jinx? Jinx has more than enough bullets for the lot of them. Screams fill the air as goons fall in waves.
"Seriously people, screaming helps not at all!"
The back hallway slowly clears of people as she continues her rampage. Jinx focuses her attention on the other doorways and staircase where goons continue to flood in from. She continues her advance until she reaches the back hall.
"Stop right there!" A particularly bulky goon shouts from the end of the back hallway.
He's wearing heavy armor. Not enough to stop a hail of bullets, but certainly enough to tank a few shots and keep on trucking. Jinx releases her stabilizing hand from Pow-Pow allowing the mini-gun to spray wildly as she reaches for a chomper.
"Ask me if I'm listening… Hint I'm not!" Jinx shouts as she lobs the chomper at the man's feet. A deafening boom fills the hall as his insides paint the walls, ceiling, and floor in shiny crimson.
Slowly the rate of new bodies flooding into the hall begins to dwindle. It seems the bulk of Chross' goons have been dealt with. Jinx remains vigilant as she rushes through the factory. There's no telling what Chross will attempt with his back against the wall. And Jinx isn't looking to give him the chance to try anything.
The hall light flickers ominously as she steps out into a storage room. She notices a slim gangly man waiting out in the open with his hands raised. Jinx surveys the area but it seems they are the only two remaining.
"I ain't lookin for no trouble, promise." The man's voice is scratchy. Like he's smoked a pack of cigarettes a day since he was twelve.
Jinx's finger taps against Pow-Pow's trigger. "I'm lookin for someone, so give me one good reason why I shouldn't turn you into a puff of red mist."
The man takes a deep breath. "You're lookin for the Kiramman girl? Aint ya?"
Jinx nods, tapping her foot impatiently.
"I can take you to her, all I ask is that ya let me leave here alive."
"Good. Let me ask you this is Chross here by chance?" Jinx asks.
The man nervously nods. "Should be in his safe room I reckon, it's behind his office. Right beside where he's been keepin the girl. Why?"
Jinx lifts Pow-Pow forward. "Let's just say I wanna have a little chat."
The man's eyes go wide. "Right, um follow me."
He leads her back into the lobby and up the staircase at the entranceway looking rather sickly as they step over the corpses of his former comrades. Fleetingly Jinx wonders if this man knew any of them, if they were friends. In the end they all made the same choice to walk out and fight. The upstairs hallway reeks of chems, the kind that leave you messed up for days on end from just a few hits.
"He's keepin the girl in this room." The man opens the door enough for Jinx to spy Ren sitting up on a bed. She doesn't seem to notice the cracked door too occupied with crying quietly to herself. Jinx makes a vow then and there to keep as many tears out of Ren's eyes as she can. The poor girl looks miserable, and frightened.
"And I assume this is Chross' office?" Jinx nods to the next door over.
The man nods his confirmation.
"So I can leave, right?"
"You've saved me a lot of trouble Frankie, so I'll do you a solid. Go to The New Oasis and let'em know your lookin for employment. Tell 'em Jinx sent ya."
Frankie looks perplexed for a moment. Then the tension leaves him all at once.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Frankie shakes her hand while weeping openly.
Frankie wastes no time booking it down the hall leaving Jinx alone once again.
"I'll be right back kid." Jinx mutters as she turns her attention to Chross' office.
The door is locked, but Jinx has been busting locks since she was six. Needless to say the door clicks open with ease. The office is a cold gray, the scent of chems is stronger here. Jinx steps forward Pow-Pow scanning the room at her hips. A large painting of Chross lines the back wall behind a large desk. Chross couldn't have been more conceited, or obvious. She pushes his large desk over on its side.
Jinx places a clump of her chem enhanced C4 right on painting Chross' crotch. She arms it with a short timer before taking a few steps back and ducking behind the desk. A thunderous boom reverberates in the air. Smoke fills the room where the painting once was. Jinx can just make out the faint outline of a person behind it.
With righteous anger Jinx moves forward. Stepping into the once safe room, now execution room. Chross trembles coughing loudly as he scoots into the back wall.
"J-Jinx I thought you were dead. Listen we ca—"
"You messed with my family, Chross. Surely you of all people know how much I'm willing to give for my family."
Chross gets on his knees folding his hands together in front of his chest. "I'll give you anything, name it and you can have it."
Jinx pretends to hum thoughtfully.
A few seconds pass before she shakes her head. "Any last words Chross?"
A burst of bullets fills the air before Chross can open his mouth.
"Hah! Heh. No, just die."
With Chross dealt with Jinx wastes no time exiting his office. Lightly Jinx raps against the door to the room where Ren is being held. Hesitantly Jinx pushes it open stepping into the room. Ren's sharp gray eyes lock onto her.
"Who are you? S-stay back." Ren demands.
Jinx releases her grip on Pow-Pow allowing it to dangle from its sling. She raises her hands up as a sign of peace, remaining firmly in place.
"I take it Vi hasn't told you about me?" Jinx grins.
"How do you know Mama's name?" A moment passes in silence. Ren's eyes wander over her. Recognition flickers in them and causes them to widen as the realization dawns on her. "You're Mama's sister, aren't you?"
"Jinx, the one and only." Jinx takes a few steps forward gauging Ren's body language for fear. When she finds none Jinx moves to the edge of the bed.
"But Mama said you died back in the war."
Jinx shrugs. "Tales of my death have been greatly exaggerated. Now what do you say we quit the chit-chat and get you back home?"
Ren's eyes once more fill with tears as she nods vigorously. Jinx reaches forward to scoop an arm under Ren allowing the girl to wrap her arms around her neck. Jinx pulls Zapper out from its holster as they begin to make their way out of the factory.
"Hold on tight and close your eyes, I'll let you know when you can open them again but you shouldn't have to see this." Jinx whispers.
Ren blinks stupefied before tightening her grip and screwing her eyes shut. Once she's sure Ren is ready Jinx takes off. She takes the stairs two at a time, and darts around the corpses of fallen goons with grace. It doesn't take long for the imposing rod-iron fence to come into view.
"Okay squirt, you can open your eyes now." Jinx pants as they cross past the rod-iron fence.
She can see the way Ren watches the world blur past with stars in her eyes. It makes her wonder how much of Zaun Vi has shown Ren. Or if the girl's ever even visited Zaun. Surely Vi's taken her to see Ekko and the Firelight's base. Jinx doesn't slow down until they're on the lift back topside. She re-holsters Zapper thankful to Janna above that she didn't have to use it. Now that she's positive they're out of danger Jinx pulls out her walk'n talk and calls Seraphine. It rings once before Seraphine picks up.
"Jinx are you alright?"
The doors of the lift groan open as Jinx steps back into Topside.
Jinx barks out a laugh. "Not a scratch on me, and I've got my niece in tow. Can you meet us at the promenade?"
Seraphine giggles but Jinx swears she's hearing double. "I would say yes but, I'm already here." Jinx turns to see Seraphine waiting to their right. "I've been waiting here since you went down into Zaun."
Jinx snorts. "And you call me paranoid." She quiets for a moment contemplating what to say. "Ren this is my girlfriend Seraphine. Seraphine, Ren."
Ren says a quiet hello still looking rather frazzled.
Seraphine offers a smile to Ren. "Nice to meet you Ren. Can you lead us to your house?"
Jinx opens her mouth to object. She knows her way to the Caitlyn's fancy schmancy mansion, but the withering look Seraphine shoots her way makes her clamp her jaw shut.
"Yeah, just go forward and I'll tell you where to turn." Ren supplies.
With Ren's guidance, and totally none of Jinx's prior knowledge, it doesn't take them long to reach the Kiramman mansion. A swarm of fire light's flutter in Jinx's stomach as they step onto the oversized front porch. This is it, there's no turning back now. Jinx pulls her hood down, her hand trembling as she reaches for the doorbell. She feels the comforting presence of Seraphine's hand rubbing tight circles on her back. It helps calm her, if only a little.
The doorbell chimes and she can hear the faint sound of footsteps growing closer to the door. The door opens wide as Jinx comes face to face with one Caitlyn Kiramman. Caitlyn's face flashes through a mixture of emotions. Confusion, turns into anger, and finally morphs into relief as she lays eyes on Ren.
"Mother!" Ren exclaims reaching for Caitlyn.
Jinx hands Ren over to Caitlyn without a word. Tears streak down both Kiramman's faces as they cling onto each other.
"Vi! Get down here now!" Caitlyn shouts.
Footsteps thunder from upstairs growing louder as Vi's frame jogs down the staircase behind Caitlyn.
"Cait, what's going on?" Vi calls out.
Without a word Caitlyn sidesteps out of the way and Jinx is face to face with her sister. Vi instantly freezes. She blinks slowly like she's attempting to clear her vision.
"Mama!" Ren calls out reaching for Vi.
The sound of Ren's voice seems to break Vi out of her trance. Caitlyn releases Ren into Vi's arms. It doesn't take a detective to notice the way Vi's eyes glisten with unshed tears as she murmurs her love to Ren. Between her words Vi mouths a thank you to Jinx.
"Let's move this to the sitting room, I'll get Wade to put us on a pot of tea." Caitlyn suggests.
Jinx isn't sure what will happen now. It's been nearly a decade since she's last seen her sister. Despite her worries of the future, she can't help but feel a bubbling excitement in her chest as she follows Vi into the sitting room.