Arcane Anew (Rewrite)

Drunken chatter and laughter filled the street as they approached the Last Drop. The muffled hum of jukebox music echoed every time the door swung open from a departing patron. Contrasting with the neon green from Chemtech and other nearby signs, an orange glow radiated from the sign above the entrance, bathing the bar front in a warm, welcoming aura.

It also seemed to be one of the few places in the Undercity where laughter could be heard consistently. The atmosphere and looks, however, were deceiving.

Merchants and residents intermingled along the streets, conducting business or having merry, tipsy chats. Any true Undercity resident knew this location housed respectable and honorable criminals. An ironic reputation, but if you wanted dirty work done without risking a backstab, this was the place to go. The downside was higher rates.

'The complete opposite of Silco's nightclub,' Orion thought, admiring the building's appearance.

"Where did you learn to fight?"

Vi's inquisitive question drew his attention away, accompanied by a rough fist bump to his shoulder.

"Here and there. Street fights, boxing ring."

"No kidding? Is it someone Vander would know?" Her voice perked up with interest. "I've been learning to fight myself."

"No... They're-" Orion paused, his gaze wandering as he searched for a makeshift answer to explain his otherworld experience. "They're not here. They were... traveling mercenaries? Soldiers?"

Vi's eyebrow arched, a skeptical look on her face. "You don't sound too sure of yourself."

Shrugging, "I'm not. I learned until they left."

"Why didn't you go with them?"

"This was years ago. Do you think mercenaries would drag a kid along to warzones?"

"They might've. Someone has to be the support. Weren't curious enough to ask what they did while they taught you?"

"A group of people dressed in armor carrying weapons? Hard to guess they were doing anything but mercenary work or soldiering."

"Either way, that just wasn't the life for me," Orion ended flatly.

"And what is? Getting into other people's fights and joining the criminal life?"

"..."

"No words, tough guy?" Vi grinned, bumping his shoulder again. "I'm not judging! I have a little sister to take care of, so I can't up and bail. I was just curious. Most people would leave here if given the opportunity."

They stepped up to the door just as it swung open with a departing patron. A quick, amused glance followed by a chuckle from the patron as Orion held the door open for Vi, who raised a judging eyebrow at him.

"This again?" she asked.

Sighing and rolling his eyes, Orion turned and walked in, leaving Vi to fast-step in behind him.

"Grouchy, aren't you? Oh! By the way, follow me and let me do the talking!" Her tone shifted, sounding more apprehensive toward the end.

Her words were drowned out by the loud, bustling bar as they stepped inside. Sensory overload and then clarity. People were throwing their troubles away with drink. Laughing, socializing, or doing business discreetly. Pool tables clacked and bets were placed while ale sloshed and spilled by merry patrons.

It was a tightly packed bar. One would have to bob and weave through stumbling customers to get a drink. On the other side of this crowd was the clear setup where the bar counter was located.

Orion tilted his head as Vi stepped past him with her hood up. She was slightly hunched as if trying to make herself less noticeable. Yet bar patrons, after sparing her a glance, parted a clear path. Low chuckles and murmured comments drifted from a few as Orion followed her to the bar.

'Will you look at that?' Orion chuckled to himself. 'She's shy! Or is it...?'

His gaze lifted right into the quiet, studying stare of a bartender.

A bartender? No. Not just a bartender.

Vander. Hound of the Undercity, leader of the uprising years ago, and the father figure for Vi and Jinx. Impossible to miss with his iconic leather outfit, wide sturdy frame, and wolf-like presence when he tucked in his chin. Brown hair and a full beard. Intimidating to say the least.

He'd noticed them entering and finished up with some patrons before they reached the bar. The timing was clockwork.

'Well, I got his attention, that's for sure,' Orion thought, unconsciously stiffening a bit before Vander's gaze flicked to Vi who slid onto a stool.

Vander slung the bar cloth over his shoulder and planted both hands on the counter in front of her, wearing his "ready to hear it" expression. Instinctively Vi hunched her shoulders and looked away- an unconscious admission of guilt. Vander didn't speak. He let her body language tell the story.

"I delivered the package to Benzo," Vi finally said, her voice shaking.

"And?" Vander's gruff voice rumbled.

Her eyes darted briefly at Orion, stuttering with emotion creeping into her voice.

"I-I went to Jericho's for some seafood and got into a fight on the way back. It-it wasn't my fault! Right?"

'Why are you dragging me into this? I don't know!'

"Right," Orion replied flatly, wearing a deadpan stare.

Forgetting Vander for a second, Vi opened her hands in exasperation. Her expression screamed, 'Really? That's it?!'

Too late to walk it back as she realized her error, she tensed and looked at Vander with another guilty look.

"Is that how you got that mark?" Vander asked, nodding to her bloodied brow.

"Yeah," she sulked. "I took a shortcut through that alley they recently fenced. Deckard was there waiting with some goons from a different gang. He wanted payback because he lost the bet."

"I assume you won the fight?"

"Yeah," Vi smirked. "They're still laid out in the alley!"

"Atta girl," Vander smiled warmly, before tilting his head toward Orion. "So who's this?"

"I... don't know?" Vi blinked, realization dawning. "What's your name?"

"Orion."

"Huh. Strange name," Vi commented, then turned back to Vander with an explanatory tone. "Orion helped me in the alley."

"How was he?"

"Good. He joined in late and knocked two of them out. That was after I kicked two of their asses!"

"Just how many were you fighting?"

"Four."

"Four? You were fighting four alone?" Vander's voice rose in concern. "You're not hurt anywhere else, are you?"

"No. I'm alright," Vi said dismissively. "He's looking for a job. I thought I'd help him out since he helped me."

'Is that how it's playing out in your mind? I know that was my objective but... Also, why is his gaze bothering me? Have we met? There's no way I would forget meeting him.'

Vander's gaze lingered, studying Orion. Different emotions flickered behind his eyes- subtle twitches betraying thoughts he didn't voice.

'Or is this just a protective dad assessing the stranger next to his daughter?'

"You know what I said about involving strangers in your fights..." Vander sighed.

"I know! And I didn't!" Vi protested. "He scared the shit out of me when he hopped over the fence! He helped without asking!"

"Is this true?"

"Yes. I came here looking for a job and saw Vi getting ganged up on. Just decided to help since it was four against one girl, is all."

"I could've taken them myself," Vi snapped sharply. "You didn't have to get involved!"

"Hmph. Maybe." Vander frowned. "You could've been seriously hurt. Especially in the alleys- which is why I've also told you not to use them!"

"Sorry... It won't happen again," Vi muttered, slumping.

"And it's not often a stranger helps another stranger out. Mr. Orion, was it?" Vander reached over the counter, his tone formal. Surprised, Orion shook his sandpaper-like hand and nodded. "Thank you for helping my girl. My name's Vander."

"It wasn't a problem."

His sharp eyes locked onto Orion's, searching for a crack in his composure. But Orion had experience with this kind of situation.

A strange, long silence stretched before Vander's attention returned to Vi. She'd straightened up, eyes flicking curiously between them.

"Take him around back. I'll cook something up. You will take him with you on your next job."

"What? Why?!" Vi protested, standing abruptly.

Vander leaned forward, his hands still planted firmly on the counter. "Because someone needs to keep an eye on you. You'll still be in charge. Consider him... mmm... backup."

Vi opened her mouth to argue but quickly closed it. Frustration lined her face before she turned with an angry huff.

"Fine."

She threw a sharp, accusatory glance back at Orion and motioned for him to follow.

'This ain't my fault! This is all on you!'

Orion maintained a calm exterior. Vander still watched like a hound as Orion followed after Vi.

"Thank you, sir."

"Don't cause trouble, you hear?"

"Yes, sir."

A gruff warning paired with a dangerous look. Vander slung the cloth from his shoulder and returned to the patrons, many of whom were entranced by this theater-like entertainment.

'I'm sure as shit not going to cause trouble. Hell, I'm meeting the gang! I'll see Powder!'

These excited, giddy thoughts danced in his mind as Orion followed Vi downstairs. He could already hear the loud, energetic voices of the gang.

'But what was up with Vander? Does he normally stare like that? Vi was intrigued too...'

'He does seem like a person who intimidates through looks before speaking.'