Arcane Anew (Rewrite)

"Who was that?"

"Damn it..."

Orion, about to dig into his last toad leg, grumbled and turned. He blinked with surprise.

Standing there with arms folded and a judging glare, Vi replied sharply, "What was that?"

"Nothing. Nobody," Orion sighed tiredly. "What are you doing- oh, Jericho's food."

'I completely forgot she loves Jericho's food. She went here the day Caitlyn got her out of prison.'

"Damned straight! This is the best food around!"

Jericho let out happy, loud noises after hearing her and gave a toothy smile. Vi immediately slid five half-bronzes across the counter with a small giggle.

"One fish bowl, please!" she raised a finger, smiling warmly at Jericho.

"How can you understand him?"

Vi shrugged, and her tone softened. "You pick up on it. Are you in with the wrong sort?"

"Huh? Oh."

From Vi's angle, the hairline on the back of Orion's skull had a slight gap revealing distorted and scarred tissue. She couldn't see his other injuries except for the bruise on his chin. Other than that, since their last meeting, he'd become unusually pale with a haggard complexion.

"I got into a fight. It's nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure? Vander can help if you've gotten mixed up in nasty business!"

Orion's eyebrow twitched, and he let out an annoyed sigh.

"I'm not in trouble. It was just a job offer."

"Did her pretty smile turn you stupid?" Vi asked, her tone now laced with sarcasm. "Becoming a punching bag isn't a very good offer. Should I ask who's winning?"

"What-" Orion began, anger rising before realization struck him. He gave a slight gesture at his chin. "Oh, no. This was from this morning. I got jumped."

Vi's gaze shifted, a flicker of regret crossing her soft blue eyes. She glanced down for a moment, shifting uncomfortably before meeting his gaze again.

"Sorry," she muttered guiltily.

Just like with C, Jericho slid Vi's bowl across the table noisily.

"Aw, shucks! Extra? You're the best, Jericho!"

Befitting her age, her tone changed instantly and became upbeat and cheerful. Jericho bubbled around happily, tapping the grill musically. The rest of the meal continued in silence, except for the occasional slurp or outcry from a commotion somewhere in the crowds.

"When will you be back?" Vi asked, breaking the silence. When Orion glanced at her, her eyes were fixed on the bowl, and she twitched when she knew he was looking at her.

"P-Powder wants to show you a new sketch of Mylo!"

"That's nice," Orion replied flatly. "Who said I'm going to take the job?"

"Well, the lady looked pretty enough…"

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"I don't know! Mylo and Claggor would've taken it if they saw her!"

"You don't even know what the job-" Orion stopped himself. Getting sucked into this childishness was silly. "I don't know if I'll take it. I need the money though."

"For what?" Vi asked.

"Surviving? Maybe I'll buy some books or alchemical tools… What else?"

'Anything magic-related too,' Orion thought. 'But I doubt I'll find anything in a city that fears and has outlawed all magic.'

"Tell Powder to hold onto that sketch for me," Orion grinned, standing up.

With a fuller stomach, his tone lightened and carried a hint of amusement. Leaning in, he teased, "Don't worry, I'll be back."

"I'm not worried!" Vi shot back, though her shoulders raised slightly. She glanced down, pausing as if debating what to say next, before looking back with a faint smile.

"Just come back in one piece, okay?"

Orion nodded and leaned back with a genuine reply.

"No problem. Just keep this a secret, okay? Miss leader?"

Vi smirked, chuckling, and her shoulders relaxed.

"Sure thing."

-------------------

Life between Piltover and the Undercity wasn't completely separate. Workers regularly traveled up from the Undercity to find jobs in Piltover and vice versa for business. Not all ships went through the canal. Some unloaded on the east coast into the Undercity's Sump level.

The wealth that flowed, however, was usually only one way. To Piltover.

Many Undercity residents felt jealous- wishing they could have the same clean air, fresh food, and spotless streets as the topsiders. This feeling resonated deeply with Orion.

He acknowledged that it wasn't just this body's lingering consciousness that brought on the jealousy but his own as well. Especially now, experiencing the disparity firsthand as he crossed the Bridge of Progress at high noon.

The clean, pristine clothes, lavish lifestyles, and well-decorated homes made Orion look like a poor orphan boy in comparison. Not that he wasn't, dressed in musty Undercity clothes covered in muck and grime, but it wasn't a choice!

Topsiders gave him disgusted glances and Enforcers, even though he was clearly a teen, offered suspicious stares and sharp, warning glares. Glancing down at his clothing, Orion sighed.

'I really do look like a rat.'

'Everything up here is double...' Orion thought, eyeing food stalls where meals that would've cost five half-bronzes were marked up to five full bronzes or more.

'This is highway brand robbery. A cheap purse worth a hundred times more just because of a name- why is it the same with food for normal people?'

At that point, he couldn't help but return a scowl to the topsiders judging him for his appearance before turning his gaze back down to the parchment in his hand.

It gave him a path to Count Mei's Menagerie and described the details of the plant he was meant to retrieve- which troubled him.

'Red Blossoms. Red, as the name suggests. Petals are toxic if consumed. Thorns cause paralysis…'

The list of toxic attributes went on, describing every part of the plant: sap, seeds, stem, roots...

'How the hell am I supposed to collect it? Let alone steal it?' Orion grumbled internally. The 'tool' C had given him was a single silver coin.

'I'm guessing this is to buy actual tools?'

He had already spent the silver coin Vander had given him on a new set of clothes- albeit still worn down and old. The tears in his jacket were sewn shut, and he had acquired a dirty brown sack which he'd stuffed into the back of his pants beneath his shirt. It was mildly uncomfortable and itchy as he walked.

As he drew closer to the menagerie, the building structures and designs began to change dramatically. If before was the middle class, he was now stepping into the wealth district. Home to Piltover's elite and ruling Houses.

Gilded mansions behind ornate gates, shining workshops, luxurious shops, grand banks, and high-flying entertainment houses.

'I bet a normal pair of shoes here are worth gold.'

Bittersweet, jealous thoughts lingered as the road finally opened up to his destination: Count Mei's Menagerie.

A long line of people awaited entry before a ticket master. Parents accompanied their children, dressed in fancy Victorian-style clothes- clean, pressed fabrics, brass buttons, and the typical Piltover blend of steampunk accessories. Fancy watches, monocles, long dresses.

When Orion stepped into line, parents subtly pulled their children closer, and some kids looked back at him with wide, fearful eyes, whispering up to their guardians. And of course, the glares and disdainful remarks came with it.

"Ignore him. He won't hurt you."

"It's not as unique as the animals you'll see inside. Stop staring."

'Fuck all of you.'

Orion faked a smile and stared off into the distance, pretending not to hear their demeaning jabs. When he finally reached the front, the ticket master eyed him with disdain.

"One full silver," the man sniffed, as if certain Orion wouldn't have it.

Smirking, Orion placed the coin on the counter. The ticket master blinked with surprise and disbelief. It morphed into a look of resentment, like: 'Do I really have to serve this kid?'

"One... ticket..." he muttered, reluctantly beginning to offer the ticket.

"Oops!"

It slipped from his hand, and Orion glared at him. The ticket master feigned innocence and the line behind him grew quiet.

'Are they hoping I'll make a scene?!'

Sucking in air through his nose, Orion picked up the ticket and silently walked past. The man didn't even bother to apologize. He just stared with that same disdain as the rest as he passed.

'I think any feeling of guilt I had about taking this mission is gone.'

------------------------

The layout was simple: a circular pathway surrounded a large oval botanical garden. Along the outer edge, creature habitats offered glimpses into the wonders of Runeterra.

At the very back, two textured glass doors led into a separate small botanical garden, complemented by grand half-oval ceilings that flanked the entryway. The menagerie's most exotic creatures were on display there with one attracting a very large crowd.

Orion stared in awe and slowed his pace.

'I might never get this chance again. I think I'll enjoy myself.'

Poros from Freljord, scarabs from Shurima, hounds of Noxus. He walked and read the placards all the way to the first grand display. Orion tilted his head, observing the rather unusual and haunting exhibit.

The Moon Howler monkeys, native to the Shadow Isles, had red eyes, black fur, and nocturnal behaviors. They were locked behind a dense, soundproof habitat with soundproofed glass.

Despite efforts to satisfy the creatures, they failed to find peace in the isolated, shadowy enclosure. Passersby would occasionally hear a scream from inside, rendering the display unattractive to say the least.

The kids, frightened, clung to their parents. Meanwhile the parents wore looks of disapproval and others frowned, disappointed that they couldn't observe the creatures because of their children.

'Yeah… Terrifying screams in a place where kids are? This wasn't a good move. It's doing more harm than good,' Orion thought, frowning at the habitat.

"Rare doesn't always mean valuable, or useful. The owners have failed to recognize this."

Curt, sharp words caught Orion's attention and he turned to look at the opinionated speaker.

A young lady stood there wearing a royal blue tailored coat draped over a pristine white tunic, straight blue hair, and sapphires. Her posture was stiff and gave off an aura of authority and nobility.

'That color… those are the Kiramman colors, aren't they? Hold on, that means this is Caitlyn?!'

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at Orion, who'd accidentally stared at her for too long.

"You are being impolite."

"Ah- sorry," Orion stuttered, clearing his throat. "Sorry, sorry. I just- you're a Kiramman, right?"

"Yes?" She seemed slightly startled. "What of it?"

"Nothing! I just wasn't expecting to stand next to a noble from such a prestigious house."

"Hmph. Nor I next to an Undercity dweller. How are you able to afford this?" she asked, eyeing his worn-down clothes and stitched-up jacket.

"I got paid for a job, so I wanted to check this place out! I wasn't expecting to see…" Orion gestured at the Howler Monkeys. "This, though."

Silently, Caitlyn's eyes returned to the cage, then back to him.

"Nor was I, honestly. It was a poor choice."

"If there were no kids here, it might've honestly worked," Orion shrugged.

"I doubt it. These creatures are reprehensible."

"Not to older and richer topside folk who want something 'new and exciting.' These animals are perfect conversation starters for a posh meetup."

"You know nothing about us," Caitlyn snapped. "Why do you presume to think we are all like that?"

"Are you old and rich?" Orion casually dismissed her words, walking past her toward the crowd surrounding the other grand display.

"Since when do you walk away when someone is speaking to you?!" Caitlyn called indignantly after him.

While Orion couldn't see it, he felt her glare boring into the back of his head as he neared the rear of the crowd.

'I shouldn't have replied or even talked to her. She's a Kiramman and has a knack for detective work, and I'm here to rob the place…'

'Fuck it, I only have to worry if the job goes south. People probably won't believe her. She's a teenage kid. Even if they do, finding me will be hard.'

Shaking his head at himself, his gaze rose. Almost immediately, his eyes widened in awe and wonder at the scene.

Meshed vents dotted the ceiling, small feeding slots were secured by locks, and the interior was luxuriously decorated.

At the center, lying comfortably on bent jungle leaves and rich wooden beams, rested a magnificent creature. Its glistening white fur faded into a vibrant green at the base of its tail, and a similar hue lining its eyes and ears. These colors appeared to shift and move with a will of their own.

Orion felt a mysterious energy radiating from the enclosure. Perhaps he recognized it because of his recent use of magic, but it was enough to ignite his curiosity.

"Why is the spirit fox sleeping?" a small kid in front of him asked their mother.

'Ah! It's like what Janna said! Just a little magic won't hurt…'

Orion channeled for a split second, not enough to create a visual cue.

Instantly, rainbow colors rippled across the creature's fur and its eyes snapped open, locking onto him through the glass. The fox cooed softly, motionless, drawing awe and adoration from the crowd.

'This may be a problem…'

Between the spirit fox being sensitive to magic and the Howler Monkeys sensitive to sound-

"Why do you look like you're having a crisis?"

Orion jumped, startled to see Caitlyn glaring and standing right next to him.

"Holy-!"

She hadn't expected his reaction and stepped back, startled herself.

"What's wrong with you…"

"You scared me!" Orion breathed, shaking his head. Gesturing toward the glass, his tone shifted into that of a lecturer. "Spirit foxes are symbolic creatures in Ionia, right?"

"…Right?"

"Don't you think this could become a political issue?"

Caitlyn frowned, glancing at the spirit fox. "I didn't think about that…"

"How do you know- Hey!" She turned back just in time to see Orion walking away again, heading toward the botanical garden.

Meanwhile, the fox cooed softly and stretched its front paws. It moved across the enclosure with floating grace before stopping in front of the glass. Its piercing, glowing green eyes followed Orion with curiosity, and a plea.

Orion felt a pang of pity and guilty when he glanced back, but didn't stop. He felt unsettled. It was a magical creature, after all, and he feared what might happen if he lingered.

Unsatisfied, but wary.

He glanced back this time to see that Caitlyn was not following him. She stood staring at the glass with a conflicted expression, though her gaze flicked curiously after him after he turned to open the textured glass doors into the botanical garden.

Like many greenhouses and botanical gardens, the windows stretched from floor to ceiling. Natural light bathed the environment, highlighting the beautiful displays of flora that lined every window and path. Light blue pollen floated in the air, gifting it an ethereal quality.

Orion stopped for a moment, his breath taken by the scene. Unfortunately, it was speckled with stupidly-awed tourists, and his eyes quickly found the objective amid the unique and beautiful plants.

A large bush adorned with crimson flowers. Each petal shimmered along the edges, reflecting the light with a golden sheen. It let out a sweet, intoxicating aroma—almost dangerously alluring to the senses as he approached.

Leaning down, Orion grinned as he read the plaque.

"Red Blossom Flowers – From Ionia."