it’s been a really busy month and i’m super sorry for disappearing on everyone but i gotta! get to rpin! so if anyone wants to do anything spontaneous please hmu!
❝ Yes, really. I do miss home sometimes. I’ve known people that have been sent back where they came from, but it seems to happen at random. I still do not know the how or why. ❞
It’s quite frustrating. She cannot imagine how people who have built entire new lives here must feel, knowing it could end at any time. Perhaps it is easier not to worry about such things.
Orianna is empathetic toward Ekko and his confusion; she was in the same position, once. If she had checked her phone more often, she might have seen his arrival and offered him assistance right away.
❝ Oh, yes, everyone is limited in some way or another in the beginning. I arrived able to access the Ball’s barrier functions, but without the Ball. In time, you should regain access to more of your abilities. They may even restore power to your Z-Drive! ❞
“Huh. Random chance to be sent back... interesting.” Existential dread aside that it could very well be something else altogether, Ekko’s gonna keep that happen chance in mind. Seems with that mention the boy is already clear of the self pity train he seemed to have previously. Focused on the next topic, he nods his head in interest - albeit confused all the same.
“They managed to take the Ball from you, but... well-- that’s pretty odd, cause the Z-Drive works too! But only when I dash to people.” Which he learned through totally convenient means and not any trouble whatsoever. Depending on whether or not you call being chased by death trouble. This admission does have him seem preeeetty sheepish though.
“Other than that, yeah, I...” He hates accepting this. Hates it. “I guess I’ll wait, then. I trust what you say, so, it cant be all that bad? I’m sure there’s... plenty to do in the meantime?” He has no clue whatsoever - and he wont expect the worst either - what to do around here other than search for a way out.
His timeline, universe, existence, whatever you wanted to call it had the worst luck, he swore. He wouldn’t wish what he fell out of on his worst enemies - even then his worst enemies are still getting the brunt of it. To make his ramblings and page scribblings short, Ekko’s home had been attacked by The Void. In the state Zaun was in, there was hardly much of a fight anyone could put up-- yet it persisted.
The hard part was coming back from the devastation of the attack. Entire blocks had been felled, the Woodworks were completely destroyed, the people were hopeless. Month after month of struggles, banes and boons alike, Zaun persisted. There was only so much that could be done with what the people had in their possession, what was being donated and the help that was being given.
The first few days were the worst of them all, though. The dream shows the makeshift fortifications that were the tunnel he and the other Lost Children had made long before any complications had gone on. Griz and Ekko were always the types to plan ahead (mostly Griz) and so the tunnel fort and exit came to be. Here, the Children and their parents holed up day and night until the city truly came together. Ekko could be found sitting outside said fortifications, scribbling away at his notebook.
From the boy’s view, a page with dark marks from graphite, eraser smudges and tear crumpled pages - titled vent. The only dot on the page as of right now is:
• Is Zaun done for?
Ekko would stare at that page for what felt like years before tossing that book directly into the street. The boy screamed profanities and cried like the words had simply appeared before him without any reason. “Fuck. I--”
“Janna’s wrath, I’m such a fucking idiot.” The boy primes the Z-Drive for a rewind, staring right at the book. A pull of the chain, that’s all he needs; until a hand stops him.
It’s a big hand too, Griz. “What in the hell are you doin’ out here yelling into the night?” Ekko finds himself incapable of speaking, so Griz continues. “You rewind, get that journal and come inside. Talk to us. Talk to me, anyone. You’ve got people here, champ - you cannot take this all on yourself, as much as you want to. That whole champion bullshit gets to your head. You know you’d do better with help.”
Ekko cant process the situation properly, and rewinds. The book isn’t in his possession, but Griz is coming back out to give the same exact speech.
Again.
and again.
and again.
“Are you listenin’ to me, sumphead? Feelin’ like you started blocking me o--”
Ekko turns to the other, cutting him off. “I-” Inhaling once before continuing, tears well up in the younger boy’s eyes. “I got you, alright! I’ve heard you plenty, brick head! You can st--”
The boy is cut off equally as abruptly when the giant’s hand grasps Ekko’s entire left arm. “You’re the only one choosin’ to hear me repeatedly, doofus. Now make the right choice for Janna’s sake and get your freakin’ book.”
He - for once - hesitates, grinding his teeth and shaking off tears only to break Griz’s grip and rewind. The journal returns to his possession, the hour has started over. He remembers this moment as the time he realized he didn’t just have people to lead... but friends to listen to and lean on.
The door opens. Griz. “You comin’ in?”
Even though the memory ends in silence, he remembers all too well it was a well deserved break for him.
Orianna, having been an island resident for such a long time, hadn’t ever expected to see people from Runeterra. She had seen Nami, once, and another girl — but never anyone making their home in Piltover or Zaun. A surprise encounter with someone she considers a friend is certainly cause for excitement. Perhaps a bit of celebration would be warranted later on.
The Ball spins to express its cheer. She matches the boy’s smile, but there is a small prick of concern. Death? Orianna can’t remember her time of sickness very well, but shadowy teeth looming over her neck in fever-dreams is not something soon forgotten. She is no longer ill, and hopes her recovery is not resented.
She has no need to clear her throat, so a somewhat awkward silence hangs for a fraction of a second too long.
❝ Oh… I’ve been here for quite a while, actually. One year and five months today, in fact! I was able to make a few friends, so I was not alone for long. The Ball was also returned to me recently; I was very happy about that. How about you, Ekko? How long have you been here? ❞
Ekko hadn’t expected anyone from Runeterra to be here, from the start he’d seen strangers as far as he could see. From the very night he arrived, no word of anyone he knew, no names showed up on the phone he was given, nothing. To top all of it off, he couldn’t go far with the conditions of his lungs, so he decidedly settled in the lower parts of Fibonacci.
Being a friend of Orianna, he knows her speaking temperaments slightly better than most usually would - well enough in this moment to try and speak up in the moment of silence. Not quick enough though, to try and clear up any seemingly pressured intent.
He’s glad he did, too.
“A... almost a year and a half?! Really?” Seems The Boy Who Shattered Time is having some issues grasping the proper passage of time, seeming a little crest fallen by the idea of being stuck here... and earning things back? So that’s why the Z-Drive has been acting oddly, only allowing warping... they somehow stripped power from a hex crystal. The boy has given his own pause after the exclamation, so he cools his thought process to respond.
“A... not even a month, yet. I still have the Z-Drive, but... not... all of it.” He explains, stopping there-- though his hands betray him by lingering a second longer than needed. The boy’s always questioned everything, now more than ever. He’s simply trying to control it now.
Fibonacci’s lower levels remind the clockwork lady very much of Zaun; she can easily draw comparisons, from the lifts to the shopping promenades. It’s almost uncanny.
Undeterred as ever by the supposed danger involved in foraying to the canyon floor, Orianna tries to assist where she can. There are people that need medical assistance, and she is sure to speak kindly to them and remember their faces. The next time she comes, it will be with what supplies she can gather.
As she calls the lift to return to the surface, the Ball emits a startled tone. Turning to soothe it, she spots the source of its excitement.
❝ Ekko! Is that you? I did not know you were here. ❞
For Ekko, it’s almost just like home. Minus his friends, family and sense of community - it’s still almost too close to how home was for comfort, half the time he feels like he might turn a corner and get jumped by the Twins or someone. Someday, he’s gonna figure out how to get back home to everyone... he’s sure of it.
For now, a bit more familiarity shines in the darkness - a voice he’s not heard in what feels like longer than it truly has been. The boy’s gotta do a double take for a split second just to make positive he’s not going stir crazy from his time away from home.
“O-- Orianna!” He manages to say without coughing - guess he’s getting better. We’ll see what his voice is like after he takes the time to jog over quickly. “You’re telling me, heh, I thought it was just me and Death!” A sweet nickname for Kindred, the hunters he was quickly exposed to in his first few days here. Ekko’s grin is wide and pearly, though quickly changes to confusion.
“How long have you been here? The uh... new universe, I mean.”
Goldy…? Could be worse. It’s not the worst nickname out of the bundle he’d been given.
“ -And what is a few missing fingers? Trust me, I’ve done enough charity work for the day helping some annoyance win toys for some orphans. I’d think that warrants me having some for myself, thank you! Besides, if you’re willing to steal from me, then I assure you, it’s easier just to grab from the booth itself. The workers there are hardly paying any attention. ” Charity work. Ugh… He shudders at the thought of having to confess such an act of kindness. The Order would have surely made a mockery of him for it.
Regardless, the thought passes the moment he catches but a glimpse of himself etched on the page. With no warning, the King quickly breaks distance in an attempt to peer over for a better look.
“ Say - what was that? ”
In the same instance, Ekko snaps the book closed around his pencil, quickly placing it behind him with the Z-Drive. “Oh, notes. Being new around here, I’d rather not be walking blind.” The boy remarks as he leans back on the bench. Man, this guy has already threatened him for a remark about all he’s carrying? Not to mention the bit about ‘doing enough.’ Yeesh.
“Anyways. Why not just ask the lackey who got you to help them, huh? Of course, if you pay me I’m still willing. What’s your name, Sparkles?” Ekko says, leaning forward now. While he may not be picture perfect, he can surely carry around some bears and such.
“I’m not above making friends with the rich as is.”
The boy had his notebook snapped closed on his pencil in what seemed to be a second! The next second was him fishing his baseball bat out from behind him and stopping it from connecting just an inch away from the wolf’s face. Good reaction time, but a bad reaction in general - Ekko slides the weapon back into his hand and tamps it on the concrete.
“You’re fine, wa-- dude. I just don’t enjoy people interrupting my notes or... trying to see them, generally.” With that, he doesn’t seem agitated! He’s not moved his baseball bat though, it’s instead resting beneath his arm, grinding the concrete here and there. Plenty on his mind, and now he’s gotta figure out more about this guy too.
Rakan nods, and waves a hand dismissively. ❛ Uh, yeah, duh! The one and only Runeterra Ionia! Is there another one? Well—come to think of it, I ain’t super good with maps or astronomy or anything, so there might be— ❜
An animal clicking sound bubbles in the back of Rakan’s throat for a moment. He stops, mid-sentence and tilts his head to one side in a distinctly birdlike gesture of confusion. His ears flick upwards, and then down on one side, and he scratches his chin as he says, ❛ —You okay, kid? You’ve gone all starry-in-the-face. Somethin’ up? —or just, never seen vastaya before? I know I’m pretty damn cool, it’s true! ❜
Either he didn’t pay attention, or he’s not the brightest, but Ekko seriously doesn’t care at this point. Why would he honestly, this is one of his only connections to home he’s met that hasn’t chased him down. That’s more than enough for him to latch onto the slightest piece of home at any given moment.
“No, no I’ve seen one before! I just - you - have you not noticed?” It’s difficult to just... drop it on this guy. The boy knows Vastayans’ have it rough on their day to day already. This guy probably went from fighting for his life and land to... here. How could he possibly go about this?
“What, uh... what’s your name, cool guy?” Ekko starts, putting away his notebook and pencil quite deftly. Practiced muscle memory it seems - he’ll write down a lot of this interaction later.
“I really have to repeat myself, huh? Shouldn’t be generalized as acid if it’s not anything like it until it’s saturated. Not to mention ‘elder’, but this is Zaun we’re talking about. Can you remember the last time it rained that wasn’t pipeline run off breaking through the wonderfully perfected Piltie piping from their big manufacturing warehouses and what not? Might as well be acid then.” The boy replies snidely. Toss in an attitude and Pilties and you’ve got an argument on your hands.
Even though Ekko is probably gonna be the one to toss in Pilties. Oh well.
He had been introduced to his new dwellings and then immediately left to explore. After all! The world was about seein’ stuff, wasn’t it? If he was gonna be far from home with no idea where he was or what was going on, he might as well take in the sights.
That being said—it was a lot of sights. And lights, and buildings, and things that made his head spin. Too much! Lights and activity made him energetic, and he’s had far too much energy all day, and he’s done a lot of running. A lot of running. Enough to take him out of Golden and into… somewhere else. Hey, where is this?
❛ — HEY, kid! ❜ He slides on the pavement, claws dragging on the stone, and stops next to the nearest human, ❛ What ward is this? Do you know? ‘Cause damn! This place is huge! There ain’t a lot of big cities in Ionia… ❜
The start of the spiral; tip top of the Canyon, the peak of poverty. Ekko had a lot of sayings for the point they were at, that is, before the boy heard the word Ionia. “Tip top of the peak poverty of--” Was what his brain allowed before he almost fumbled his notebook into rain runoff. That would’ve been terrible, but did this guy say... no way.
Vastayan. The feathers; clothing, the magic glow to his gleaming cape... no way! He’s gotta ask. “Did... you just say Ionia? Like - like Runeterra Ionia!” He coughs out quickly, smiling through the aftermath of the fit. Janna’s mercy on his soul, he’s not looked this happy since he got here.
“Isn’t this stuff supposed to burn you immensely? It’s acid rain, right?”Ekko’s more than alright with standing under the awning he’s currently dry under. The boy sticks his hand out and flinches when a few drops hit him.
But they’re not burning? In fact, it feels cold? He’s gotta take notes about this.
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