Arcane: Ekko and Powder

Zaun's nights were often alive with the hum of activity, but within the walls of the Last Drop, it was quieter than usual. The cleaning up of the Chembarons' bases had left everyone worn out but satisfied. Each victory brought a renewed sense of hope to Zaun, and tonight was meant to be a night of well-earned rest. Vander, however, had a surprise in store that would change everything.

Seated in the back room of the Last Drop, Vander waited patiently, his large hands folded in front of him. Across from him stood the little girl he'd found earlier that day. Her tiny figure seemed even smaller in comparison to his broad frame. She had wide, cautious eyes, her matted hair falling around her face in uneven clumps. A soft blanket draped over her shoulders, a feeble attempt to shield her from the cold and her past.

Vander's heart ached as he looked at her. She reminded him so much of Powder and Vi when he'd first taken them in—lost, scared, and in desperate need of safety. He couldn't shake the memory of how he'd found her, huddled in the corner of a Chembaron's warehouse, barely speaking, clutching a piece of broken machinery as if it were her only lifeline.

He had seen enough pain in his lifetime to recognize the spark in her eyes—the quiet resilience of a child who had endured far too much.

"It's gonna be alright, little one," Vander said softly, his voice low and steady, the way it always was when he wanted to reassure. "You're safe now."

Powder and Vi arrived a little while later, fresh from patrol with the Firelights. Their faces lit up when they saw Vander waiting for them.

"Vander!" Vi called, striding toward him. "We weren't expecting you tonight. What's going on?"

Powder followed close behind, her curious eyes darting around the room. She was always quick to notice when something was amiss, and tonight was no exception.

"You look like you've got something on your mind," Powder said, narrowing her gaze playfully.

Vander smiled, standing up from his chair. "I do. And I've got something to show you."

Vi and Powder exchanged confused glances as Vander stepped aside, revealing the little girl behind him. She peeked out cautiously, her small hands clutching the edge of the blanket around her shoulders.

Powder's eyes widened in surprise. "Who's this?"

The girl flinched at the sudden attention, retreating slightly behind Vander's leg.

Vander placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Found her today. She was in one of the Chembarons' bases. Alone. Scared."

Vi's expression softened immediately. She crouched down to the girl's level, her voice gentle. "Hey there, kiddo. What's your name?"

The girl hesitated, her gaze darting between Vi and Powder before settling on Vander.

"She's not much for talking yet," Vander explained. "But I reckon she's been through enough that we shouldn't push her."

Powder stepped closer, her heart aching at the sight of the little girl. She knew all too well what it felt like to be lost and afraid, unsure of where you belonged.

"Do you...have anyone?" Powder asked softly.

The girl shook her head, her grip on the blanket tightening.

Vander cleared his throat, his deep voice drawing their attention. "I've been thinkin'. This little one doesn't have anyone. But she's got us now. If you two are alright with it, I'd like to keep her here. Make her part of the family."

Vi stood up, her brows furrowed in thought. She looked at Vander, then at the girl, and finally at Powder. "You mean...you want to adopt her?"

Vander nodded. "That's the idea. She needs a home, and we've got room in ours."

Powder blinked, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions. She remembered how Vander had taken her and Vi in all those years ago, giving them a second chance at life. And now, here he was, ready to do the same for someone else.

"I think it's a great idea," Powder said, stepping forward. She crouched down, offering the girl a small, encouraging smile. "Hey. You don't have to be scared. Vander's the best, and he's gonna take care of you. We all will."

The girl looked at her with wide, uncertain eyes, but there was a flicker of something else—hope.

Vi crossed her arms, her expression softening as she looked at the little girl. "Yeah. If Vander says she's family, then she's family."

Vander visibly relaxed, his shoulders dropping as a smile spread across his face. "Good. Because I already told her she's staying."

Powder laughed, shaking her head. "Of course you did."

The girl's grip on her blanket loosened slightly, and she took a tentative step forward. Powder reached out, offering her hand. "Do you like stories?"

The girl hesitated before nodding slowly.

"Well, I've got some good ones," Powder said with a wink. "Come on, I'll tell you one."

Vi watched as Powder led the girl over to a nearby couch, sitting down beside her and launching into an animated tale about one of her and Ekko's adventures.

"You've got a knack for this, Vander," Vi said quietly, moving to stand beside him.

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just do what feels right. Same as I did with you and Powder."

Vi glanced at the little girl, who was now listening intently to Powder's story. "You've got a big heart. And she's lucky to have found you."

As the night wore on, the little girl began to open up bit by bit. She didn't speak much, but she smiled faintly at Powder's jokes and accepted a piece of candy that Vi offered her.

Vander watched them with a deep sense of pride and gratitude. His family had grown in unexpected ways over the years, but every addition felt like a piece of a puzzle clicking into place.

Later, as the little girl fell asleep on the couch, wrapped in her blanket, Powder sat beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"She's gonna be okay, isn't she?" Powder asked softly, looking up at Vander.

"She's got us," Vander replied. "That's all she needs."

Vi nodded, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. "We'll make sure of it."

And as the warm glow of the lights filled the room, Vander knew that their family, imperfect as it was, had just become a little more whole.