"Papa?"

A little girl with platinum blonde hair looked up at her father, her big eyes a red hue filled with curiosity. Her small hand was engulfed by her father's much larger hand, the two walking through the dark alleyways of Zaun.

"Where we goin'?" She asked softly, her father sighing as he kneeled down, pulling the cloak of her hood over her head.

He brushed a strand of her silvery locks out of her pale face, smiling softly as he brushed his thumb over his daughter's freckles. He placed his free hand on her shoulder, planting a little kiss on her forehead.

"Just to see an old friend, my love," He stood up, lightly tugging on her hand to guide her along.

She followed behind him, the eleven-year-old girl looking around the streets of Zaun, her hand squeezing her father's a little tighter as they stood before a glass door labelled 'Benzo's Shop of Surprises'.

The bell chimed softly as the door swung open, Benzo turning as two cloaked figures standing by the entrance. He placed his arm on the counter, the other smoothening his sideburns, eyeing the two before glancing back and forth between them, "May I help you?"

The man lowered his cloak's hood, revealing his ebony hair and grey eyes. His eyes were filled with recognition as he looked at Benzo, his eyes widening as a small smile grew,

"Hedrick," He smiled, his voice lilting, "What brings you back here? You missing the food that much, eh?"

Hedrick shook his head with a chuckle, brushing the dirt off of his fine clothes, "Ah, you know how it is. Just had some stuff to pawn in."

Hedrick pulled out a little leather pouch, a family emblem embroidered into the reddish hue of the hide. When he untied the string, out spilt familiar hand-made jewellery of chains and gems, bits and pieces of priceless machinery that were stolen long ago rolling onto the counter as Benzo's eyes widened.

"Does the missus know that you're pawning these off?" Benzo inspected the trinkets, all in pristine condition. "I doubt the well is dry, considering her family fortune is... well, for lack of a better word, never-ending."

"Finances are just fine, Benzo," Hedrick shook his head, keeping his eye on the small cloaked figure of his daughter wandering around the dimly lit shop. "Being an enforcer... it provides enough. And luck is on my side, my in-laws have a soft spot."

Benzo nodded, picking up a ring, "You certain Merdy said it was all-good for you to pawn these? You know how valued her jewellery are, Pilties doing everythin' to get the 'latest limited-edition' of her works. Dunno how much the population here would appreciate this kinda thing."

"She uh..." Hedrick fiddled with his stache, glancing at the counter with a slow exhale, "She won't be making any more."

Benzo's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, "Merdy... don't tell me she..."

Hedrick looked down at the table, eyes glossy at the mention of his wife's nickname. She was well-beloved among his childhood friends, he could see it in the way Benzo's gaze softened, his tone carrying more weight. The soul of a kind woman whose generosity was limitless was not easy for one to forget.

"I'm so sorry, Hed," Benzo spoke finally, his tone sombre as it cut through the heavy atmosphere. "She was a good 'un."

"She married me," Hedrick laughed breathlessly, his tone longing, "A street urchin out of all those fine men in Piltover that her parents had to offer."

Benzo smiled slightly, sweeping the jewellery into a small wooden box that lay around, it's clasp old and worn from previous years of use, a thick layer of dust coating the lid of it, "At least she has you to keep her memory alive. Us too, though I'm sure Vander would want you to drop by again to give his condolences."

Hedrick hummed before feeling a small tug on his cloak. He smiled, gently pulling his daughter onto one of the high chairs. Benzo's eyes widened with a glint of interest, something almost paternal flickering in his gaze.

"And who might this little critter be?" He smiled, his tone softening as Hedrick nudged his daughter's arm.

"It's alright, my love," Hedrick whispered, "He's a good friend of mine and Momma's."

Her red-hued eyes flickered between Benzo and her father cautiously before slowly pulling the hood down. She brushed stray strands of platinum blonde hair back, Benzo's eyebrows raising at her pale appearance.

"M'name's Adrianna," She spoke softly, holding her arm out, just as she was raised to. Benzo hummed in approval, his hand wrapping around her tiny one as he shook her hand firmly. Hedrick smiled in pride, glad to see that his daughter at least had her manners about her.

"Adrianna, eh?" The round man grinned, releasing the girl's hand, "Lovely name for a little lady like you."

Adrianna smiled slightly, revealing her teeth as she beamed, "I'm eleven this year."

"Eleven," Benzo blinked, "She's the age of Felicia's kid."

"Right," Hedrick nodded slowly in agreement, Adrianna looking up at her father in curiosity, "How are they? Vi and Powder?"

"Oh, Vander's hanging in there," Benzo chuckled, his smile growing as Adrianna watched him, shifting as she heard quiet footsteps. "I took in an apprentice myself, but the boy's a bit more... elusive."

Hedrick huffed out in amusement, pulling his daughter's cloak hood over her head again, "One day, we might meet them all. Some sunny day when things settle down."

"One day," Benzo nodded in agreement, watching the two make their way to the front door, "Where ya headed off to next so soon, Hed?"

He sat up slightly, Hedrick smiling as he placed his hand on his daughter's back. Adrianna looked up at the ceiling, hearing footsteps as little puffs of dust descended from the floorboards. Her eyes widened as she spotted a pair of eyes peeking from a crack above.

"Gotta take this one over to her grandparents," Hedrick ruffled his daughter's short hair, "My shift starts in a few, and I think Vander's got his hands full."

Benzo hummed, slowly walking over as he kneeled down, albeit with mild struggle, as he smiled gently at the girl, "Take care, little lady. It'd be nice if you could drop by again. You'll always have a friend here in Zaun, remember that, aye?"

He pulled out a red ribbon from the wooden box and handed the girl a small gift – a lovely green pendant encased by gold, a token of her mother's work. Hedrick's gaze softened at the sight, a ghost of a smile resting on his lips. His wife would've loved it, Benzo picked the right necklace.

"I'll never forget you, Mister," Adrianna smiled, her arms wrapped around Benzo's neck as Hedrick watched with a smile, pulling his hood over his head before his daughter picked his hand up again.

Benzo grinned, "Aye, missy. You take care of your father now."

She nodded, the door opening with the soft chime of a bell as the two walked out, Benzo sighing as he stood up. He eyed the ceiling as more puffs of dust descended from above, shaking his head with a low murmur.

"I really oughtta tell that boy to stop peepin' in on private conversations."