Chapter Text
The next morning is your first official day on the job, and you're a bit nervous. While you've waited tables before, you've never bartended. Not to mention the people of the Undercity are a much different breed than the people of Piltover. And judging from the looks you got the day before; you are definitely viewed as a topsider. Which is funny because topsiders never thought of you as one of them.
You take a look at yourself in the mirror to make sure you look decent, it's then that you realize you're wearing the last pair of clothes you packed from your dorm. You'd have to go shopping after work, maybe you could invite Jinx. It'd give you both the opportunity to grow close again, and she'd probably know some cheap shops to buy clothes. Straightening yourself out, you take a deep breath in and head down to the bar. The Last Drop didn't open until eleven, so when you get to the bottom of the stairs the place is completely empty, with exception of the bartender of course. The moment he spots you he waves you over and starts your training.
It was the same bartender from yesterday who watched you get your ass handed to you by Sevika. He introduced himself as Thieram. He took you to the back of the bar where the two of you waited for the latest delivery of liquor. As you waited, he briefly went over what your job would entail. Since you were new you would work during the day. Taking stock of the liquor that would be delivered, then stocking the bar for later. Once the restock was done you'd tidy up the place before opening the bar. Since it was daylight, The Last Drop wouldn't be too busy, which you were secretly thankful for, you didn't think you'd be ready to handle a big crowd on your first day.
As soon as the delivery truck came through you and Thieram started unloading the liquor. Once everything was unloaded, he walked you through the checklist, after everything was verified you, both started bringing the liquor into the bar. He showed you where everything went, how to work the tap and register. Afterwards you both started cleaning up the place. Thieram began asking you questions about your time in Piltover, he didn't seem judgmental about it only curious, so you answered all his questions.
You recounted some of the places you visited, the people you met, and he nodded along to everything you said. By the time you finished it was nearly time to open. As you were placing the chairs down on the floor, you decided to ask questions of your own. Since you were now employed by Silco you thought you should learn more about the man. So, you asked Thieram what he knew. He paused for a moment thinking over his answer before speaking. "I honestly don't know much about the guy, besides the fact that he values loyalty, and he hates topsiders. I'm honestly surprised he hired you."
"That was Jinx's doing. We were friends back in the day. We talked things through, and she ended up getting me a job here." You briefly explain.
"Makes sense, he has a soft side for her. Took her in when she was a kid. She always calls me Chuck and I have no idea why." You can't help but chuckle at this. When you look up at the clock you see its opening time, he hands you the keys and tells you to do the honors. You take in a deep breath in before unlocking the doors and letting nature take its course.
Most of the patrons that come through are workers that just got done working the night shift. For the most part they order their drinks and go about their business, but every so often you get dirty glare, or a not so flattering remark. You simply shrug it off and pour them their drinks. It goes on like this until your approached by someone whose had one too many beers. He leans against the bar and looks you over. You do your best to pay him no mind, but you can feel his eyes on you as you fill another mug of beer. "Since when did this place start hiring stuck up topsiders? Don't you have some fancy party you need to get ready for?" He snickers, and his friends laugh at his comment.
You take a moment to compose yourself. He's not worth you losing your temper, or your job. You turn around and offer him a tight lipped smile. "You know, a wise man once said you shouldn't insult the person pouring the drinks." You state as you place his mug of beer on the bar. He immediately frowns at your comment and tosses a few coins at you before taking his beer. You can't help the smirk that appears on your face as he walks away mumbling to himself. As you place his payment in the register you feel a pair of eyes on you. You take a look around the bar but don't see anything out of the ordinary, it isn't until you look up that you see Silco staring at you. His face is neutral so you have no idea what he's thinking, he stares at you a moment longer before turning away from you and walking off. That was weird. You think to yourself before getting back to work.
After that brief interaction no one else bothered you. You went about your day until it was time to call it quits, and by then Jinx had stopped by. You invite her to go shopping with you and she jumps up in excitement. You both walked to your room to get your money and afterwards she leads you to her favorite shops.
You can't help but laugh at her antics. She'd run around the store picking out random clothing and then handing you the pile to try on. You can tell she didn't pay attention to the clothes she picked out, half of them didn't fit, some just simply weren't your style, and a few that were out of your price range. You tried on what you liked that you could actually afford, and then you step out of the fitting room and model for Jinx. As the day goes on you find yourself eternally grateful she decided to give you a second chance.
When you felt your purse become light you call it quits. Deciding when you saved up enough money, you'd come out shopping again with Jinx. As you both head back to The Last Drop, she suddenly grabs you by the arm and drags you to a familiar food stand, Jericho's. As the familiar smell fills your senses, you're taken back to a time when you and the gang would stop by here for a bite to eat after a job. You smile at the memory; those had been good times. You're suddenly pulled from the memory though when Jinx pats the seat next to her. "I hope your pallet hasn't become too refined." She jokes.
"I actually prefer Jericho's. Some of the topsider's food choices are...questionable, and they come in small portions." You comment.
Jinx orders for the both of you and you have to remind her you spent most of your money on clothes. She waves you off and tells you she's buying. "Consider it a welcome back/congratulations on your first day dinner." You smile at her in thanks and sit beside her. It doesn't take long for your food to be ready, and once you take that first bite, you're in heaven. You can't help the moans that escape your mouth. In between bites you make sure to compliment Jericho, he grins widely at you as he continues to cook.
Once both your bellies are full you head back. The moment you arrive the first thing you notice is the bright neon light in the shape of an eye. You of course noticed the sign the first time you came around, you just didn't imagine is shone so brightly. When you walk into The Last Drop, it's as if it transformed itself from a regular bar to a full-on nightclub. There are more neon lights inside, each a different color. There's music blasting and people dancing on the floor and tables. You also notice a few customers smoking Shimmer inside. "What do you think Songbird?" Jinx asks you.
"I'm not sure." You answer.
"You'll get used to it. You wanna dance?"
"Not today, I have work in the morning." You reply.
"Another time then." Jinx says as she pats you on the shoulder.
You wish her goodnight and head up the stairs while Jinx heads towards the dance floor. As you head up to your room and shut the door, the sound of the music below still reaches your ears. The moment you get your first paycheck you're definitely going to have to invest in earplugs. You take the clothes you just bought out of the bags and start removing the tags. After there neatly folded and put away, you hop in the shower and wash the day away.
After you've showered and changed you lay in bed wide awake. You can still hear the music downstairs, but it's not like you can just tell them to turn it down. You'll have to put some money aside to get a place of your own. While living rent free has it's perks, you're not willing to sacrifice sleep over it. As you continue to listen to the thumping of the music your mind begins to drift off.
You look down at the flyer you picked up while you were at Piltover. You and your friends had just returned not too long ago from some sort of festival they were having. You all looked on at the festivities from the rooftops, when you noticed someone handing out flyers. Unfortunately for that person the wind had picked up and the flyers flew from their hand. Letting your curiosity get the better of you, you climb down from the roof and look around until you find one. Your eyes widen when you read the words written on the piece of paper. The Academy of Music & Arts would be holding open auditions for anyone interested in attending. The Academy would pay for the tuition for the few selected to attend. You wonder briefly if you should audition before you hear Mylo calling out to you.
Pocketing the flyer in your back pocket you climb back to the rooftop. You all continue to watch down below as the topsiders participate in various activities and games before deciding to head back home, below The Last Drop. You share a room with your friends Claggor, Mylo, Powder, and Vi. You're still looking over the flyer when you hear footsteps approaching you. You fold the flyer and look up to see its Vander who's approaching you. "Whatcha got there Songbird?" He asks. Instead of answering him you hand him the piece of paper. He quickly scans it over before looking back up at you.
"I considered auditioning, but that's a stupid idea, right?" You ask.
Vander's gaze softens and he places a comforting hand on your shoulder. "And why would you think that? I've heard you sing, you're as good as any of those self-entitled topsiders, maybe even better." Vander says with confidence, oh how you wish you had his confidence.
"Someone like me would never get in. I'd be lucky if I made it to the front door." You reply.
"Well, you'll never know unless you try." He retorts, but you say nothing back. Those who were born in the Undercity never made it topside, and the few lucky enough to leave don't make it far. "What if I went with you?" You look up at Vander surprised. "That way they'll think twice before turning you away." He says with a grin.
"What if I don't get in?" You ask.
"What if you do?" He questions back as he hands the flyer back to you.
You wake from the sudden memory, not realizing you had fallen asleep. When you look over at the clock on the nightstand you realize you have fifteen minutes to get ready before you're late to work. You quickly dress, fix your hair, and brush your teeth before heading downstairs. You greet Thieram and repeat the same process as yesterday. As you're restocking the bar you see Jinx, Sevika, and Silco come down the stairs. Jinx looks like a walking zombie, but she still manages to greet you. Thieram jogs over to the door to unlock it for them. As soon as they leave and he locks it back up, you ask where their headed. "The Shimmer warehouses. Silco likes to check in on them. They're going to want a drink when they get back, so leave something for them." Thieram comes back over to the bar and shows you who likes what drink.
They don't return until late in the afternoon. Thieram hands Sevika her bottle of whiskey, and Silco his bottle of bourbon. While you pour a bottle of juice into Jinx's personal cup. You can't help but smile at the fact that she still uses the same doodled cup. Silco heads up the stairs, while Jinx and Sevika sit at the bar. "So, what's it like?" Sevika lights a cigar and blows smoke towards you. "To go from living the high life, to bartending and waiting tables?"
"I wasn't living the high life Sevika." You state.
"Right, you were going to some fancy school." Sevika says sarcastically. "What kind of school was it anyway?"
"Music and art." You answer, and she bursts out in laughter.
"Seriously? That shit's not gonna get you far in life. No wonder you came crawling back here." Sevika comments as she takes another drag from her cigar.
"She's actually really good. Aren't ya Songbird?" Jinx pipes up.
"I'm alright." You say.
"She's just being modest. There's a reason she's called Songbird."
"Let's see it then." Sevika says. You look at her wondering if she's being serious or just messing with you, but as you look you see she's completely serious.
"Right here, right now?" You ask.
"You shy?" She asks. You don't answer, you simply look around at the patrons gathered. The last thing anyone here wants is to hear the bartender sing. She turns in the direction you're looking and scoffs. "Don't worry about them, their all too drunk to care what's going on around them."
Deciding she might be right; you pull out a coin someone gave you as a tip and slide it over to Jinx. "You got me into this, so it's only right you pick the song." She giggles in excitement and heads over to the jukebox. Sevika warns her not to pick anything too loud. A minute later Jinx has a song picked out and you can't help but smile at what she chose. It was one of Vander's favorites, you even sang it at the audition four years ago. It was your way of thanking him for coming along with you and encouraging you.
Of all the money that e'er I had.
I've spent it in good company.
And all the harm that e'er I've done.
Alas it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit.
To memory now I can't recall.
So fill to me the parting glass.
Good night and joy be with you all.
Of all the comrades that e'er I had.
They are sorry for my going away.
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had.
They would wish me one more day to stay.
But since it falls unto my lot.
That I should rise and you should not.
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call.
Good night and joy be with you all.
A man may drink and not be drunk.
A man may fight and not be slain.
A man may court a pretty girl.
And perhaps be welcomed back again.
But since it has so ought to be.
By a time to rise and a time to fall.
Come fill to me the parting glass.
Good night and joy be with you all.
Good night and joy be with you all.
Sevika just stares at you dumbfounded, she doesn't snap out of it until you suddenly hear clapping. You look up to see that all the patrons have stood up and are clapping for you. You feel heat creep up at your cheeks and offer a small smile in thanks. You hear Sevika grumble something along the lines of, 'that was ok', before standing up and heading upstairs with her bottle of whiskey. As you watch her go, you notice Silco is staring at you again, only this time his expression isn't neutral. He's surprised, but there's another expression on his face, one you can't quite pinpoint. And you don't get the chance to because as soon as Sevika reaches the top of the stairs, he turns around and they both head back to his office.
The next few days after your little singing debut, you began to get more requests to sing. You weren't sure about it at first, but you found it hard to say no when they would put a coin in the jukebox and pick a song. There was a part of you that was secretly happy you got to sing again. After getting kicked out of the Academy you didn't think you'd ever sing in front of anyone again. This went on for a week before you were suddenly called into Silco's office. You waited until the end of your shift to go up to see him, and you made sure to bring a bottle of bourbon with you. You figured whatever he called you for couldn't be good, so why not bring a bottle over to soften whatever blow he was going to throw your way.
The first thing you notice when you step into his office is his desk. Everything on it has been drawn on by Jinx except the desk itself. The next thing you notice is the only light in the room comes from the bright neon sign outside. Other than that, his office is pretty bare. Silco doesn't acknowledge you until he's finished looking over the paperwork spread out over his desk. He motions you over to the chair directly in front of his desk. You place the bottle of bourbon in front of him before sitting down. He seems surprised by the sudden gesture, but quickly shakes it off. He then reaches into the bottom drawer and pulls out two glasses. It's your turn to be surprised when pours a second drink and slides it over to you. "I hear you've been singing." Silco starts out.
"Yeah. You getting complaints?" You ask.
"The opposite actually." Silco takes a sip of his bourbon before continuing. "It seems we've gotten more daytime customers, and not only that, some of our nighttime customers have also been asking about you." Not sure what to say, you remain quiet and wait for him to continue. "While you're a decent bartender, I feel you'll have more to offer this establishment as a singer."
"You want me to sing? Here?" You question and he nods his head yes. Without meaning to you burst out in laughter, you don't stop until you see Silco's stern expression directed at you. "I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at you, or your proposal. It's just...Vander offered me the same proposal if things didn't work out at the Academy."
Silco leans back in his chair and contemplates your words. He and Vander had been close once, brothers even, fighting side by side during the war with topside. At least that's what you heard, you're still not sure how much of it is true. Especially since Silco is the reason he's dead now. "Was he the one that gave you the nickname, Songbird?" Silco suddenly asks, and you nod your head yes.
"He gave me that name first day I met him." You briefly explain, but you notice Silco has an expectant look on his face, as if he wants you to continue, so you do. "I had gotten into some trouble. My mom, she wasn't always around, so I was left to look out for myself. Whatever I needed I had to get myself, including food. I got caught stealing fruit from one of the venders. He started beating the crap out of me to teach me a lesson when Vander stepped in. I bolted out of there as soon as I got the chance, but he ended up finding me an hour later. That's when he heard me singing. That same day he gave me my name and took me in."
"You may not believe me when I say this, but I am sorry. His death had not been my intention." I shake my head at his statement, cross my arms over my chest and lean back into the chair. I had expected him to yell, or at least kick me out of his office, but instead he continued on calmly as if I hadn't done anything at all. "All I've ever wanted was for us to be free from Piltover's rule, same as him. But he and I had different ideas on how to do that. I wanted him to see that my way was better, more effective. Unfortunately, things didn't work out that way." He takes another sip of his bourbon; you can't help but notice a look of regret on his face. Though it doesn't really matter what his intentions were, you can tell he's telling the truth. "So." Silco speaks. "What do you think of my proposal?"
You're a bit taken back by the sudden change of subject, but you straighten yourself out to answer. "I'm going to need a band." You point out.
"I'm sure I can find one that's suitable." Silco says confidently.
"Then I guess you have yourself a singer." You agree. He raises his glass towards you, you pick up the untouched glass he offered and tap it against his. You both down the contents of the glass signifying a deal made.
It takes three days to find a band, two weeks of rehearsal, during which Silco had a stage built, before the big night arrives. While the band is setting up for tonight's performance, you're standing nervously on the side eyeing the crowd. When Silco offered you the chance to sing, you didn't expect him to go to all this effort. Your nerves were starting to make you sick to your stomach. What if you did badly? What if no one liked you? Then what? Would you just go back to bartending, or would Silco just fire you? All these negative thoughts were going through your head until you felt a hand on your shoulder. You turn around and see Jinx giving you a knowing smile. "The last time I saw you this nervous was the day before your audition." She comments.
"I didn't expect Silco to find a band so quickly, or for him to build a stage for me to perform on. What if I don't do well? Then all this was for nothing." You admit.
"Just picture everyone naked, I hear that helps." Jinx says in an attempt to be helpful.
"That doesn't actually work." You tell her.
"What'd you do last time? When you had to perform in front of those topsiders?" Jinx asks.
You hesitate to answer, not sure how she'll react once you do. "I... I looked over at Vander. He accompanied me to my audition. I was such a nervous wreck, I'm not sure I would have made it to the audition if it wasn't for him." You finally tell her. She seems conflicted for a moment, then she looks over her shoulder and whispers to no one, 'shut up', before looking back at you. You've noticed her talking to herself before, you've been meaning to talk to her about it, but something would always come up. You're about to ask her when she suddenly speaks up.
"You can focus on me. I've always been your biggest fan, and no matter what happens tonight I'll still be your biggest fan." You can't help but to pull her into a tight hug. You don't let go until you hear your name being called out by a less than enthusiastic Sevika.
As Jinx makes her way towards the crowd, you take a deep breath in before walking on the stage. You scan the crowd looking for Jinx, when you find her, she waves at you and offers you a thumbs up. You offer her a small smile before looking over your shoulder and signaling the band to play. As you hear the first notes, the faces of the crowd begin to disappear until all that's left is Jinx, and an image of Vander standing beside her.
Who told you what was down here?
Come along if you wanted a peek.
I've seen your face around here.
Come alone, tell me under the table.
What do you seek?
Welcome to the playground, follow me.
Tell me your nightmares and fantasies.
Sink into the wasteland underneath.
Stay for the night, I'll sell you a dream.
Oh-oh, woah-yeah.
Welcome to the playground.
What brings you to the lost and found, dear?
Won't you pull up a seat?
Everybody got a price 'round here to play.
Make me an offer, what will it be?
Oh, what will it be?
Welcome to the playground, follow me.
Tell me your nightmares and fantasies.
Sink into the wasteland underneath.
Stay for the night, I'll sell you a dream.
Oh-oh, woah-yeah.
Welcome to the playground.
Oh-oh, woah-yeah.
Welcome to the playground.
Welcome to the playground.
Welcome to the playground.
Welcome to the playground, follow me.
Tell me your nightmares and fantasies (tell me your nightmares).
Sink into the wasteland underneath.
Stay for the night, I'll sell you a dream.
It takes you a minute to regain your senses. When you do everyone is cheering for you and yelling 'encore'. The image of Vander is gone, but you notice Jinx jumping up and down and whistling. You then gaze over at Silco, who's giving you a genuine smile. He raises his glass to you, and you can't help but return his smile with one of your own.