Arcane: Ekko and Powder

The days in Zaun had always been a mix of chaos and hope, but for Powder, they felt different now. Isha's arrival had stirred something new within her—a protective instinct and a warmth she hadn't realized she could feel for someone other than Ekko or her family.

Isha had been with them for a few weeks now, and though she was still reserved, the walls she had built around herself were slowly coming down. Powder found herself drawn to the quiet determination in Isha's eyes, the way the little girl tried so hard to keep up with everyone around her. It reminded her too much of herself when Vander first took her in.

Powder was seated at her workbench, surrounded by bits of scrap metal, wires, and tools. She was working on a new gadget—something small and harmless that she could give to Isha as a gift.

Isha peeked around the corner, hesitant but curious. Powder caught sight of her and waved her over.

"Come here, Isha," Powder said, smiling. "I've got something cool to show you."

The little girl shuffled over, her big eyes locked on the contraption Powder was holding.

"What is it?" Isha asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's a little... uh, let's call it a 'light spinner.'" Powder flipped a switch, and the gadget sprang to life, spinning in place as tiny colored lights danced across its surface.

Isha's face lit up, her awe unmistakable. "It's beautiful!"

"You think so?" Powder asked, leaning in closer. "I was actually thinking of giving it to you."

"Really?"

"Really," Powder said, placing it in Isha's hands. "But only if you promise to keep it safe."

Isha clutched the gadget to her chest, her smile wide and genuine. "Thank you, Powder. I love it."

Powder decided that she and Isha needed some time away from the noise of the Last Drop. After convincing Vander and Vi that it was safe, she took Isha on a small tour of Zaun.

"Where are we going?" Isha asked, her hand firmly in Powder's.

"Someplace fun," Powder replied, a mischievous grin on her face.

Their first stop was a hidden corner of Zaun that Powder loved—a spot where the glow of the chem-lights was softer, and the air felt just a bit cleaner. It was a rare patch of peace in the bustling undercity.

"Wow," Isha whispered, spinning around to take it all in.

"Pretty cool, right?" Powder said, sitting on a low ledge. "Sometimes, when things get too noisy, I come here to think."

Isha sat beside her, her little legs dangling over the edge. "Do you think a lot?"

Powder chuckled. "More than people realize."

As they sat there, watching the muted glow of Zaun's lights, Isha turned to Powder with a question that caught her off guard.

"Do you think Vander was scared when he found me?"

Powder tilted her head, considering the question. "I think... I think he wasn't scared for himself. He was probably scared for you. Scared about what might happen if he didn't bring you here."

Isha nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to the gadget in her hands. "I was scared too. I thought... maybe no one would want me."

Powder's chest tightened. She reached out, placing a hand on Isha's shoulder. "Hey. Don't think like that, okay? Vander wanted you. We all did. And you belong here."

"Even you?" Isha asked, looking up at her.

Powder smiled, her eyes soft. "Especially me. You remind me of... well, me."

When they returned to the Last Drop, Powder decided it was time to teach Isha a few things about her favorite pastime: tinkering.

"Okay, rule number one," Powder said, handing Isha a screwdriver. "Never force anything. If a piece doesn't fit, it's because you're doing it wrong—not because it's broken."

Isha nodded, her small hands gripping the tool tightly. Powder guided her through the basics, showing her how to take apart a simple clockwork mechanism and put it back together.

"Like this?" Isha asked, holding up a tiny spring.

"Exactly!" Powder exclaimed. "See? You're a natural."

For the first time since she arrived, Isha laughed—a bright, joyful sound that made Powder's heart swell.

That night, Powder tucked Isha into bed, a routine that had quickly become one of her favorite parts of the day. Isha had insisted on keeping the light spinner on her nightstand, its gentle glow filling the room.

"Can you tell me a story?" Isha asked, her voice sleepy but hopeful.

"Hmm," Powder said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Okay. How about the one about the brave girl who saved her whole city?"

Isha's eyes widened. "Is it a true story?"

"It could be," Powder replied, winking.

She began weaving a tale about a young girl who used her wits and courage to outsmart a group of villains threatening her home. As she spoke, she couldn't help but think of Isha and the strength she saw in her every day.

When the story ended, Isha was already half-asleep, her breathing slow and even. Powder leaned down, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Goodnight, Isha," she whispered.

Over the next few weeks, Powder and Isha grew closer. They spent hours tinkering, exploring Zaun, and sharing secrets late into the night. Powder found herself opening up to Isha in ways she hadn't expected, telling her stories about her own childhood, her struggles, and her dreams.

In turn, Isha began to bloom. Her confidence grew, and her laughter became a regular sound in the Last Drop. She followed Powder around like a shadow, soaking up everything she could learn.

One evening, as they worked on a new gadget together, Isha looked up at Powder with a serious expression.

"Do you think I'll ever be as good as you?" she asked.

Powder smiled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "You're already better than I was at your age."

"Really?"

"Really. And you know what? One day, you're gonna be even better than me."

Isha beamed, her face lighting up with pride.

The bond between Powder and Isha didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the family. Vander often watched them with a satisfied smile, while Vi teased Powder about her newfound "big sister" role. Even Ekko, who had initially been unsure about having a child around, couldn't help but be charmed by Isha's enthusiasm.

One night, as the family gathered around the dinner table, Vander raised his glass.

"To Isha," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "You've brought something special to this family, kid. Don't ever forget that."

Isha blushed, ducking her head, but the smile on her face said it all.

And as Powder looked around the table, at the faces of the people she loved, she realized that Isha wasn't the only one who had been changed. She had found a new part of herself—one that she never wanted to lose.