Act 2 Chapter 2

Walking down the halls of the police headquarters with two police escorts made it look like I was some prisoner but in truth the head of the Wardens was just a dick waving ass. They were sent here to be as intimidating as possible but it only works a few times till you get to know every last officer inside the building. They were nice, it’s just that they didn’t have a great reputation once they had to enter places near Zaun with their gas mask. You couldn’t see their faces but they can’t tolerate the toxic air down below.

“Hey Billy, you know that I’ve been here a dozen times already, right?” I said as I glanced toward my right.

“Ayup.” the tall, broad shouldered Warden replied with a shrug as we passed through a room full of Wardens and clerks doing paperwork. They looked bored out of their minds, especially the Wardens who sometimes glance towards the window overlooking the city longingly.

“Also, why are you guys here? I expected both of you to be in the grounds, especially you Sam.” I added as I turned to my other side.

“See, we done fucked up that’s what we did. Spilled some tea on the boss man’s uniform. Well now, we’re here babysitting the new recruits along with madam Kiriman.” The weasley looking man replied as he lit a pipe.

I wrinkled my nose at the smell but kept it to myself for now. I had my mask on anyway so I didn’t have to deal with the smell of tobacco.

Looking up at the large central dome of the building, I couldn’t help but grimace as we passed by the center. I couldn’t help but wince as we passed by the large chandelier holding an obscene amount of hex crystals. Recently, I‘d been hearing a ringing sound emanating from most hex tech. I could feel it down to my very bones. This insistent omnipresent ringing that made my teeth hurt. Given what I know about them, it almost felt like they were screaming.

I played with my crystal as we passed by it. This feeling I had about them had been getting worse these past few years and it’s never going to get any better. One day, Hextech would become obsolete but for now, they’re here to stay.

“So, did Jinx give you any trouble?” I then asked, trying to distract myself as we continued heading deeper in the building.

“Nope.” Billy ever so eloquently replied.

“She’s a real proper angel up until Madam Kirimman got her hands on her. You should see what she did.” Sam replied with a chuckle. I could only roll my eyes.

“Of course she did. What did she do?” I asked once more.

“Slapped Madam Kirimman on the ass she did.” Sam guffawed as both Wardens sported shit eating grins across their mugs. I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. Funny how even in another time and another place, Jinx is still antagonistic towards Caitlyn.

“I assumed Caitlyn punched her back?” The two liked each other much as cats and dogs did.

“Yup! Right at the kisser” I winced at what Sam told me. I just hoped she didn’t chip a tooth or something from that but then again, Jinx was made of sterner stuff.

“Also, you do remember that Caitlyn hates being called Madam Kirimman right?” I reminded the other man as we walked.

“Exactly. She’s Madam Kiriman.” Billy replied, reinforcing the nickname given to the Kirimman heiress.

“I swear you two will never get promotions if you keep referring to her as Madam Kiriman. Who knows, maybe she’ll become the new chief.” I joked about, dropping hints on what Caitlyn might become in the future. Given her fate in another time as the Chief of the Wardens, it wouldn't be a stretch that might still be her fate here even without Vi by her side.

“Little Cait? The Chief? Hah! Not in a thousand years, not with ole’ Marcus up in the helm.” Sam replied as we rounded the corner. Curiously, I could hear someone singing as we got nearer to the cells. The sweet melody of the person's voice was a step up from what I’ve heard earlier.

“Just saying plus it wouldn’t hurt not to poke her.” I shrugged as we passed by people not so subtly hanging around the hall listening to the free concert being performed in the prison ahead.

“Nah, it's just ribbing you see. Toughens them up. Everyone’s been through it, isn't that right Billy?” Sam replied as we finally got to where the Wardens hold people with minor misdemeanors.

There in the middle of the first cell stood a pink haired beauty singing her heart out to a captive audience of wardens and fellow prisoners accompanied by my wayward sister and a lovable and ever so adorable blonde with their instruments.

While the walls of a cell did not possess the best acoustic properties they still made it work as every last person inside the room had their eyes and ears on them. Serpahine’s enchanting voice accompanied by the sheer energy of Jinx guitar and the beat of Cindy’s drums was an entrancing sight to behold.

Walking past the crowd of wardens, I stood beside a familiar blue haired Warden clutching a letter closer to her chest while she watched with a star struck look as I watched along with her, letting myself get lost in the moment until the song finally ended. The room broke out into a thunderous applause as their audience clapped and hooted at the stellar performance they put up.

Serpahine smiled as she bowed before Jinx warped her hands around her shoulder and grinned at their audience. “Thank you! Thank you! You’re too kind!” Jinx shouted and I couldn’t help but chuckle as she was just loving the attention. With the makeshift concert over, I could finally talk with Caitlyn without being drowned out by their song.

“Hey Cait, how the hell did Jinx convince you to give her her guitar?” I asked the rookie Warden, causing her to jump in her seat as she swiveled towards me.

“Oh Ark! I didn’t see you there.” She said startled, holding her hand over chest before she let out a small laugh. “Why do you always like scaring me like that?” She then asked as she placed the letter she was holding on the desk.

I grinned back, letting my amusement show in my eyes, as he shrugged. “You’re way too easy to jump scare.”

Before she could reply, Jinx finally noticed me. Letting go of Seraphine, she rushed to the bars of her shared cell as she greeted me. “Ark! Finally, I thought you and Vi already abandoned me! Come on, We’re kinda short on bail money so can you fork us some Hexes so we can finally get out of here? I swear I can hear Princess Pow begging to be released from the locker!”

And just like that, my headache returned. I groaned as I pinched the bridge of my nose, “What the hell did you do this time and didn’t you have your allowance on you?”

“Hehe, about that. I might have used my emergency money to help set up our makeshift concert stage…” Jinx replied, looking away from me as she twiddled with her thumb and deflected the issue away from what she did.

I merely raised my brow at that as I turned towards the irate Caitlyn who glared at her frenemy.

“Oh I can answer that. Miss Vereza and her friends decided to hold an illegal concert over at the Plaza Medarda… as well as assaulting an officer.” Caitlyn replied with her brows twitching at the following hoots and hollers made by some of the more immature officers inside the room.

A simple glare sent their way quickly shut them up. Another gesture had the wardens that had been hanging around in the room and avoiding work packing back to their work station. It was honestly impressive with how commanding Caitlyn could be with her looks. Maybe she inherited it from her parents.

Jinx pouted as she puffed up her chest before launching into an annoyed diatribe, “For the record, you know we have a permit but and we we’re supposed to have a concert yesterday but that pompous ass and his stupid violin wanted revenge cause I wanted to show off my loud speakers at my friends concert instead of his.” Jinx went on without pause as she paced around the room, “Like I was going to let him test it out in his concert which was a few hours after Seraphines performance but nooo, he wanted to be the first performer to use my invention so he went on became a dick by calling some friends up high to delay our permit and don’t you tell me there was no foul play here cause that letter on your desk is our permit for a public concert! Fucker really had to rub it in that he has friends in high places.”

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I glanced towards the letter and sure enough it was what Jinx said it was complete with the seal of the ministry tasked with handling such a permit.

“Also, Ha! You call that assault? It was just me being touchy feely Cupcakes~ Come on, we’re friends! That’s what friends do.” Jinx then said, making me groan. Oh dear, Jinx really had to poke Caitlyn on this one.

“You slapped me on the ass!” Caitlyn shouted which made me realize why the officers were all hooting. Yup, definitely sounds like something Jinx would do.

Jinx slapped Seraphine’s ass making the girl squeak out while Cindy slapped Jinx’s ass. Caitlynn squeaked, scandalized at such brazen acts especially with how Jinx offered her ass to the now annoyed and pouting Seraphine.

“Jinx, please don’t tease Miss Kirimman any further.” The pink haired girl begged Jinx.

“Just like what friends do!” Jinx replied with a shit eating grin stretching across her face which only made Caitlyn all the more irate about what happened with how her scowled deepened and how she turned a bright pink.

Seraphine sighed as she slapped Jinx’s rear half heartedly so Jinx would finally stop pestering them.

“See? Even Seraphine’s into it!”

“Y-yeah… Jinx, please? We’re still in jail and I think my parents are starting to get worried…” Seraphine replied, laughing nervously as she rubbed her forearms.

“Don’t worry Sera, I’ll handle this.” Cindy said as Jinx nodded before she turned to Cindy.

“Why can’t I handle it!?” Jinx asked.

“Dude, her parent’s don’t really trust you after that incident.” Cindy reminded Jinx, making her whine about it much to Caitlyn’s displeasure.

“Gods damn it… You are insufferable.” the poor Warden replied, making me snort out in amusement.

“You mean adorable?” Jinx fired back as she batted her eyes at Caitlyn causing the fellow bluenette to throw up her arms in frustration.

“Gah!”

“Are you still hung up on me beating you in the shooting contest?” Jinx then added as she wiggled her eyebrow at her frenemy.

“How many times do you have to bring that up! It was one time and I was sick that day. I kept sneezing and-!”

Yeah, this had gone long enough. The girls already let out what they have in their system so it's time to end this. Clearing my throat, I called their attention, making Caitlyn and Jinx shut up rather quickly.

“Jinx, apologize to Cait so we can get you three out of there. You know today’s progress day and you probably know what I currently have in my back pocket right now.” I said as I pulled out three tickets. Jinx gasped as she vibrated excitedly. Caitlyn couldn’t help but quirk an eyebrow at that as she looked back at me.

“So, what do we say to the nice officer?” I then asked as I waved the tickets in front of her. Jinx seemed to mull on her options as she turned to Caitlyn.

“I’m sorry Cait…” She apologized. Things would have been ok if Jinx didn’t have to be… Jinx. “...for not slapping you hard enough down there cause damn girl! You can bounce a coin on that.” She laughed out making Caitlyn fume once more while it only made me roll my eyes.

“Powder.” I replied softly, making her wince before pouting at me. I merely stared back. Thankfully she relented as she sighed.

“... Ok, fine. I’m sorry I slapped your ass. I’ll try not to do it again.” Jinx apologized genuinely this time. I expected her to do it again but not in the foreseeable future.

“Good enough.” I nodded, satisfied at how things went so far. Turning back to Caitlyn, I then asked “So Cait, how much is her bail this time?”

“How did you do that?” Caitlyn asked as she gestured at Jinx who was just waiting to get out. She was behaving for now and looked more annoyed than anything else.

“Do what?” I asked.

“Make her shut up.” Caitlyn asked to which Jinx replied by blowing a raspberry at her.

“Practice and she knows what’ll happen if she doesn’t behave.” I replied with an enigmatic smile.

“Please no laundry duty. I don’t like having to clean Vi’s stuff!” Jinx shouted as I nodded to which Caitlyn gave us both an incredulous look of disbelief. Even with a laundry machine, cleaning Vi’s stuff could be annoying.

“That and some other stuff. Anyways, back to her bail.” I added. Vi and I had our ways.

Things after that went smoother than expected. There weren't really any charges that stuck. Sure there were some due to the rioting caused by her arrest for the illegal concert but any charges using that as an excuse would be flimsy at best.

We waved our goodbyes to Cindy and Seraphine so the pinkette could go back home and explain what happened. Jinx and I had to wait for a bit as Princess Pow was still in the locker and was locked up inside a wooden box.

It took a while but Caitlyn finally found a crowbar to open the box. “Why did they have to nail her box! We have padlocks and chains for this kind of thing!” Caitlyn groaned as she tried prying the top of the large wooden box open.

“I might have given Princess Pow some arms to manipulate things and put your back into it Princess!” Jinx encouragingly replied as helped Caitlyn along.

Finally, the box was opened and out flew Princess Pow in a rain of packaging hay. Floating above us was what could be described as a Hextech Drone with a rotary gun strapped beneath its body. Its blue eyes sparkling with intelligence as it flew around before rushing to Jinx.

“Awww Pow Pow,~ did you miss me?” She asked as she hugged the Technomechanical being.

When I gave her the Hextech Crystal back then, she decided to attach it to a robot and out came Princess Pow. There was no bone aching scream nor a hollow sense of resignation from her, there was just her floating around and being well… a turret parrot as Jinx once called her.

“Why did you have to strap a rotary gun to her, Jinx?” Caitlyn asked as she wiped a stray bead of sweat from her forehead.

“It’s cute on her plus every girl needs to have her own gun.” Jinx replied as she fist bumped with the rather animated hoverbot.

Caitlyn shook her head as she replied “So long as you don’t load her with bullets…”

“Yeah yeah, so can we go now?” Jinx asked as she waved off her concern.

“Fine. Please don’t get in trouble with the law again?” Caitlyn sighed out. Jinx was about to fire out a quip but I cut her off as I placed my hands around her shoulder; a task that was proving to be getting harder each year with how tall Jinx was getting.

“I’ll make sure to keep her in check while we’re up here.” I reassured Caitlyn as Jinx blushed while looking away.

Saying our goodbyes to her along with the various officers jokingly saying that Jinx better bring some Donuts when she comes back, we went off to go to the City square so we can finally join in the celebration.

We walked in relative silence as we passed by various groups of celebrating friends and families as they headed away or towards the center of the city. Today was a day of celebration, so it was inevitable that we had to deal with the slow traffic.

“Sorry about getting put in the cells again…” Jinx then said, breaking through the silence between us.

I sighed out as I shook my head “I’m not mad at you Jinx… I’m just…”

“Disappointed?” She asked with a wince.

“No actually. Not this time cause you stood up for your friends since you're in the right. I’m more afraid because one of these days, I might not be there for you.” I replied

Jinx snorted in amusement as she replied “You? Going away, nah not happening. All three of us, together forever, remember?”

I chuckled as nodded “Yeah, I’ll never leave you two cause I know that Vi would be way too cranky all the time while you’d go hungry.”

“I totally can cook, you know.” Jinx huffed as she crossed her arms across her chest.

“Said the girl who nearly burnt down the kitchen but, in all seriousness though Jinx, just be more careful next time.” I replied, trying my best to get her to see some reason.

“Yeah. I’ll make sure I don’t get caught next time.” Jinx replied which earned her a poke in the sides. She jumped away as she laughed out.

“Damn it! You know I’m ticklish.” She complained as she glared at me half heartedly.

“Just making sure you're taking this seriously.” I replied.

“Yeah. Sorry about that. Hey at least it took me six months till Iil ole’ Cupcake decided to cuff me!” Jinx replied, trying to bring up the bright side of things

I turned towards her and asked “Who are you and what did you do to my Jinx?”

Jinx pouted as she replied “I’m learning ok. I’m no longer a kid.”

“If you were a bit shorter, I’d give you headpats but you’re already way taller than me. Hell, I think you might get taller than Vi!” I said as I jumped up just to see eye to eye with her. It was crazy how she shot up like a string bean after we settled down in our home for the last 4 years.

“I’m sure you’ll hit puberty someday. Who knows, maybe you’ll reach the pickle jars without having to use your wings.~” Jinx replied as she skipped ahead before breaking into a sprint.

“Jinx!” I shouted as I ran after her intending to give her a piece of my mind.

“Catch me if you can shortie~!” She laughed out as I took in the air.

“Hey! Flying is totally not fair!” She shrieked out laughing as I swooped down to mess with her hair.

“Said who?” I laughed in turn as she dodged my attempts.

Jinx was still a little shit even in this time where she grew up with a loving family, yet I wouldn’t trade the world for her because she was a lovable little shit. My only hope for the future is that she’d still have that big bright smile of hers.