Unaware of the events unfolding in Ionia, and the growing unease amoain topside fas, Orion slurped up his noodles, broth warming his chest.
Isha, sitting beside him on Main Street, slurped hers just as eagerly.
Smack.
A firm sp nded on his back, making him choke slightly on his food. He turned, coughing, to find Vi standing there, pletely unapologetic as she plopped down beside him.
She didn't speak right away, her gaze shiftiween him and Isha before settling on him.
"…It's good to see you back," Vi said, slow and awkward. "Nice kid."
"Not mine," Orion muttered, refusing to meet her eyes.
Vi stared him down, irritation flickering behind her expression, but Isha remained focused on her food, seemingly uned. Orion's ck of hostility had reassured her.
Vi studied the girl for a sed longer before refog on him. "I heard what happened- about you ending up in prison. I'm sorry."
k.
The sound of Orion's spoon hitting the bowl drew her attention.
"It wasn't your fault. Nor the gang's."
"So... why are you mad then?"
"I'm not mad."
k.
Vi's brow twitched.
"Look, I'll be straight with you," she sighed, turning to fully face him. "e back to us. Leave Silco behind. I get why you're there, but the longer you stay-"
"Silco has never done me wrong," Orion cut in sharply. "Vander has."
Vi's expression twisted, frustration mounting.
"I'm not helping Silco destroy the Uy," Orion tinued. "And I'm not hurting any of you."
Vi's hands curled into fists.
"But I do have unfinished business with topside."
She exhaled sharply. "Revenge? Vander wouldn't approve."
"Fuck Vander!"
His voice rose sharply. His eyes fshed, and Vi instinctively leaned back slightly.
"That fu-" Orion ched his fists, inhaling deeply to rein himself in before speaking again, this time in a quieter, more dangerous tone. "You found out how he lied back then. And there's probably more. I'm not ing baot yet."
Tense silence flickered between them.
"Vander has always done what he thought was best for us..." Vi started but it quickly ged, her tone being less emotional and mitated instead. "Fine. I get it. At least meet the others. Cggor and Mylo? Surely they haven't pissed in your soup yet."
"Sure, I'll meet them."
"The Last Drop?"
"No. The arcade hideout."
"Alright..." Vi started to rise, theated. Her voice softened, more vulnerable. "You could at least apologize for walking out on us. We were hurt too, you know."
Silence.
Vi scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Tsk. Whatever. I'll tell the others. This evening, okay?"
Orion nodded, still not looking at her.
Vi lingered for a sed lohen sighed and walked away, frustration following her movements.
Ohe atmosphere settled again, Isha turo him, f the "Friend" hand sign with a small tilt of her head.
"In the past," Orion murmured, gng at her out of the er of his eye. "Just like the others you've met. You would've liked them... especially J-" He hesitated. "Powder."
(Short for today unfortunately. Sed part is probably something you guess)