Arcane Anew

While the fight was going on, Isha watched with excitement. Vi was clearly more beefy than the thin, lanky Orion. He was not going to win-

Boom!

Startled and fearful, she was sent hurling off to the side with Powder, her gaze snapping back to the ring. Orion was standing there, clutching his head, struggling. Without realizing it, whether for her desire to keep her golden ticket or actual concern for him, she ran forward immediately.

'It's that Shimmer drug again!' Isha protested with frantic sounds, trying to shake Orion out of it. 'We should just stay with these guys! They aren't that scary compared to-'

"Geh!" Air was forced out of her lungs as she was knocked away by a thrashing Orion, crashing into Powder and tumbling to the ground.

When he fled the scene, and the arguments started to heat up, she could only think of the times he was kind to her.

Yes, he was unstable. Yes, he looked lithe and weak. But he gave her food, made her laugh a few times, and kept her company without name-calling or berating her work ethic.

No times when she had to look over her shoulder or question if he was going to turn on her in a violent way, or perhaps traffic for money. This was her payback… though she refused to admit it was because she wanted to stay around him.

"Nn!"

Isha's hands moved in rapid, frantic gestures. 'Help him!'

After a little more arguing, Isha stiffened up when Ekko ran toward her and ordered, "Get on my back."

"Nn."

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

'Help me take him home, please.' Isha signed as they stood over Orion's unconscious figure resting on his stomach.

Ekko and Powder glanced at each other before Ekko shrugged. "Why not? Better to know where this guy is than not."

"Don't worry, mischievous little squirt," Powder smirked and grinned, ruffling Isha's hair. "Just show us the way."

Ekko grunted, throwing Orion onto his back without complaint but commenting on the blood staining his front and dribbling down his chin. "Damn, he's sure messed up from it."

His comment disappeared into nothingness as Powder asked Isha, "What's your name?" Isha signed it back with Ekko rolling his eyes at being ignored.

Despite everything that just happened, Powder and Isha idly chit-chatted on their way back to the apartment. It was definitely surprising for them.

"He just got back and Silco put him up in this kind of place?" Ekko asked, raising an eyebrow. "Lucky bastard."

"No kidding," Powder added, leaning forward as her eyes scanned the place. "It's very… dull. Could use some color."

"Nn!" Isha drew her attention and signed, 'We just got it.'

"We?"

'I'm staying with him.'

"Huh, and… you aren't at all bothered by what you just saw?" Powder asked, a little surprised.

Flopping Orion's body onto the bed, Ekko also chimed in. "It could be dangerous. You don't know when he could blow up like that again."

'You guys caused it. He was fine before.' Isha frowned, letting out an accusatory sound and crossing her arms after signing it.

She wasn't completely unaware of Orion getting stirred up in their interactions, the flashing in his eyes, or the depressed atmosphere that occasionally hung around him. Having had time to take it in, she was fully convinced the fight caused his outburst. She just didn't know why so violently.

So the simple solution in Isha's mind?

No fighting.

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

Weird. Why was Orion talking in the middle of the night?

Why was there a soft breeze and a gentle, soothing voice?

Ah, there was Orion's irritating voice again.

A soft whisper brushed against her ear as she started to wake up. "Don't open your eyes. Just listen, little one."

She jerked instinctively but obeyed, keeping still. And she wasn't disappointed.

Magic, mortals, Ascended, goddess-

Isha was trying desperately not to react, to keep her breathing even. She was stiff as stone, barely containing her energy. She could only hope Orion wouldn't notice. But she couldn't help it.

She had to peek.

A little glance, and she saw her.

The mystical goddess Janna floating, surrounded by a swirling gray mist. Her beauty and ethereal presence completely stunned Isha and she could only stare in awe.

Between her words to Orion, when he wasn't looking, Janna glanced at Isha and winked.

A wide grin spread across Isha's face, and she quickly shut her eyes again, vibrating with excitement.

'This. Is. Awesome!' her mind raced. 'I can't believe I'm seeing Janna! Can I learn magic with Orion? I really want to know!'

She had so many questions. The talk of magic and mythology- things she had only ever heard in stories- there were just no words to describe how surreal it all felt.

Questions burned in her mind. 'Why Orion? What's so special about him? He has magic? He's not entirely human? Then what is he?'

And when Janna finally left, the excitement inside her boiled over like a tidal wave. Her eyes snapped open, and she started shaking Orion with uncontrollable energy.

"You little sneak! You were awake this whole time?!"

Isha grinned and shook him even more violently, nodding like an overly excited bunny.

"NN!"

(And we are caught up!)