Arcane: Ekko and Powder

The next morning in Zaun dawned with a rare sense of calm. The city, bruised but resilient, seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. It was a well-deserved reprieve after weeks of tension and bloodshed. The Firelights and their allies took the opportunity to enjoy a rare day of normalcy, knowing that such moments were fleeting.

Ekko woke to the sound of clanging pots and pans in the kitchen area of the Firelights' base. He rubbed his eyes, his new white dreadlocks falling into his face as he sat up.

"What's going on?" he muttered to himself, pulling on a loose shirt and heading toward the commotion.

He entered the kitchen to find Powder and Isha at the center of the chaos. Isha was sitting on the counter, giggling uncontrollably as Powder flipped a pancake high into the air. It landed perfectly in the pan, prompting an exaggerated bow from Powder.

"Ta-da!" Powder exclaimed.

"Careful, you're gonna burn the place down," Ekko teased as he leaned against the doorway.

Powder turned to him with a playful smirk. "Oh, come on. You think I can't handle a little breakfast?"

Isha chimed in, holding up a whisk covered in batter. "Powder's actually really good at this! She only burned one pancake so far!"

"One is progress," Ekko said with a grin, stepping into the kitchen to help.

Vi, Mylo, and Claggor appeared shortly after, drawn by the smell of food. The kitchen quickly became crowded and loud, with Mylo cracking jokes, Vi teasing Powder about her cooking skills, and Claggor trying (and failing) to keep things orderly.

After breakfast, the group decided to spend the day outside, exploring Zaun. The streets were bustling with activity, with vendors hawking their goods and children playing games in the alleys. It was a side of Zaun that wasn't always visible, one that reminded them of the city's heart and resilience.

"Where to first?" Vi asked, her hands in her pockets as she walked alongside Ekko and Powder.

Isha tugged on Powder's sleeve, pointing to a nearby stall. "Can we get candy? Please?"

Powder laughed. "You're gonna have a sugar crash, but sure."

The group stopped at the stall, where a smiling vendor sold them a variety of colorful, sugary treats. Isha's face lit up as she tasted a bright red candy, and the sight made everyone else smile.

"You spoil her," Vi said to Powder, though her tone was more amused than disapproving.

"She deserves it," Powder replied, ruffling Isha's hair.

Their next stop was the scrap yard, a sprawling maze of discarded machinery and metal that had become a favorite spot for Ekko and Powder over the years. It was here that they had scavenged parts for the hoverboard, the Swordbat, and countless other inventions.

"Time to teach Isha the art of scavenging," Ekko announced as they entered.

Isha's eyes widened as she looked around. "We're allowed to take stuff from here?"

"As long as you don't get caught," Mylo joked, earning an eye-roll from Vi.

The group split up, each of them combing through the piles of scrap for anything useful. Ekko found a few interesting gears and circuits, while Isha excitedly showed off a small, intact motor she'd found.

"Think we can use this for the hoverboard upgrade?" she asked Ekko.

"Definitely," he replied, examining the motor. "Good find."

As the sun began to set, the group made their way to one of Zaun's quieter areas—a rooftop garden that had been cultivated by some of the locals. It was a hidden gem, a patch of green amidst the gray and metal of the city.

They sat together on the grass, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Isha was playing with a mechanical bird Powder had given her, while the others simply relaxed.

"This is nice," Claggor said, leaning back on his hands. "We don't get enough days like this."

"Yeah," Mylo agreed. "Feels weird, though. Like… we're supposed to be doing something."

Vi chuckled. "You've got battle brain. Relax for once."

Ekko sat with Powder beside him, her head resting on his shoulder. He glanced at her, a small smile on his face.

"Thanks for today," he said quietly.

"For what?" she asked, tilting her head to look at him.

"For just… being here. You keep me grounded."

Powder smiled, her cheeks turning a light pink. "Well, someone's gotta keep you from overthinking everything."

Back at the base, the group decided to end the day with a sparring session. It had become a regular activity, not just for training but also for fun and bonding.

"Alright," Vi said, cracking her knuckles. "Who's up first?"

"I'll take you," Ekko said confidently, stepping into the makeshift ring.

Vi raised an eyebrow. "Big words, tall guy. Let's see if you can back 'em up."

The two squared off, and the others gathered around to watch. The match was fast-paced, with Ekko's newfound height and strength giving him an edge. But Vi was no slouch—she was quick and experienced, and she used every trick in her arsenal to keep Ekko on his toes.

The sparring ended in a draw, with both of them panting and grinning.

"You've improved," Vi said, clapping Ekko on the back. "Guess Vander's been a good teacher."

"He's got a good student," Ekko replied, wiping sweat from his brow.

As the night wore on, the group settled into the common area, laughing and sharing stories. Isha had fallen asleep on Powder's lap, and Mylo and Claggor were arguing over a card game.

Ekko leaned back in his chair, taking it all in. These were the moments that made everything worth it—the battles, the sacrifices, the hard work.

"We've got a good thing here," he said quietly to Powder.

"Yeah," she agreed, her voice soft. "We do."

And for that night, at least, the world outside their little corner of Zaun could wait.