His smile turned to a frown as Janna explained her circumstances before the calling. It remained there as shock filled Ekko’s eyes as the divine avatar of wind so easily gave out her age. The idea that Ekko was in love with someone who had that many more years of life experience on him was unsettling. Not due to her age or their age gap, but because it made him even more uncertain as to what he really had to offer her.
“I don’t think that’s right.” Ekko finally replied. “Too many people have to get by like that if they don’t work in a factory. Some still do.” He explained. The boy was upset by the fact they mocked her. “Both of my parents work in the factories just for us to barely get by. Sixteen hours every day, no breaks. Yet we can’t afford anything past the necessities. There’s so much to change, to fix to make Zaun the great place I see in my dreams.”
It then occurred to Ekko that perhaps he said too much about himself. Janna was meant to be his focus after all.
“Sorry. The poor treatment of you got me thinking about my life goals.” Ekko apologized. “If you were getting by only by those means… Does that mean you were an orphan?” The inquiry was close to home. While he wasn’t one Ekko often ran with and was friends with most of the Orphan kids that lived in the slums.
—≪💌≫ “ No, no, I don’t mind at all. It’s interesting to learn more about you. In regards to your question, actually yes, I was. I don’t remember my parents at all. “
Life on the streets… Being afraid. A few important faces were a blurr to her memory, she always wondering if they were her parents or not. The images would never focus long enough for her to dwell long enough on them.
“I’m lucky then.” Ekko answered with a small smile. “I run around the slums with the kids who don’t have any. Even with their memories bringing them warmth, memories don’t fill stomachs.” He elaborated. “I know it causes my parents a bit of trouble, but stealing so they can eat isn’t something I can avoid. Besides, it’s easier for me to get away if someone notices.”
A slum dog kid he may be, but the youth had his pride. His pride, dreams and moxie had been enough to carry him this far. A long road was waiting ahead, but maybe Janna’s gentle breeze would be enough to keep Ekko from diverging from the road he’d chosen.
“I dream of a Zaun where kids don’t go hungry. Where Pilties don’t look down on us. A Zaun where we’re an equal power and known for more than just the pollution that makes everyone down here sick. I probably won’t ever be able to stop that first one realistically, but I want to try.”
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