Piltover glimmered under a fading sun, the city's mechanical hum merging with the bustling din of final preparations for the upcoming Innovation Showcase. Signs went up, banners fluttered along the grand plazas, and an air of expectancy thickened the atmosphere. For many inventors, these days were fraught with nerves and excitement. For Orion, Caitlyn, and Jayce, they proved especially so.
Orion strolled down the main Academy concourse, mechanical arm flexed to carry a heavy satchel of spare parts. He'd spent the better part of the day finalizing details on his Energon engine's demonstration set-up, a process that left him drained and somewhat on edge. The thought of presenting in front of Piltover's elite tomorrow made his stomach clench.
Yet a flicker of anticipation pulsed within him. He couldn't wait to see the city's reaction—to see if they'd finally accept a new, cleaner energy source.
Unexpected Assistance
At the end of the concourse, Orion spotted a small group of Academy staff quietly wrestling with a large mechanical scaffold. It looked like part of an official stage or display. One of the staff, a frazzled older woman, waved Orion over as he passed.
"Young man," she called. "You're from the advanced mechanics wing, yes? Could we trouble you for a moment? This alignment is giving us fits."
Orion set his satchel down. "Happy to help. Let me take a look."
He knelt by the scaffold's base, examining how the gears meshed with the stabilizing rods. A few minor adjustments and a quick realignment with his wrenches, and the scaffold's interior mechanism clunked into place.
"There," Orion said, standing up to wipe his brow. "Should be good now."
The staff offered relieved smiles and thanks before continuing on their work, the scaffold rising smoothly for some grand display.
That small exchange soothed Orion's nerves slightly, reminding him that collaboration was second nature in Piltover—especially in the Academy. It wasn't all about showboating or competition. Sometimes, a helping hand made the difference.
Catching Up With Caitlyn
After tidying himself up, Orion reached the Academy's south entrance, where Caitlyn had promised to meet him. They had plans for a final run-through of the demonstration route, ensuring both families' vantage points and a decent crowd flow for onlookers.
He found her leaning against a column, scanning an itinerary note, face etched with concentration. When she noticed him, she tucked the note away, giving a half-smile.
"You look tired," she remarked. "Late night?"
Orion exhaled, nodding. "Yeah, was in the workshop until nearly dawn. Had to re-check the harness connectors—Jayce wants them pristine for tomorrow."
Caitlyn nodded, a flicker of sympathy crossing her eyes. "I get it. My parents are fussing like never before, wanting to ensure the Kiramman name is perfectly represented. They keep telling me to 'mind my posture, mind my words'… As if I'm going to sabotage the entire event by slouching."
A small chuckle escaped Orion. "Sounds about right. They must be proud of what you're doing, though—even if it's not exactly the path they expected."
She shrugged. "They still won't back down on the enforcer debate, but… yes, they've come around to supporting you and Jayce. They see the big picture now."
Her gaze roved over Orion's mechanical arm, then lingered on his face. "You sure you're all right? This last week has been rough."
Orion mustered a soft grin. "I'm anxious, but I'll manage. How about we do that final check on the demonstration area? Then maybe a quick break—like, actually breathe before tomorrow hits."
Caitlyn's smile widened. "That's the best idea I've heard all day."
The Grand Hall—Final Preparations
They navigated through the Academy's labyrinthine hallways to reach the expansive Grand Hall, where much of the Showcase would unfold. Rows of designated stations, each with a brass placard awaiting an inventor's name, filled the space. Some participants had already begun setting up their equipment, from clockwork contraptions to shining mechanical limbs.
"Here we are," Caitlyn noted, pointing to one corner that overlooked a small stage. "Your name placard is set. It'll be you, Jayce, plus a handful of others with bigger exhibits. They say they're expecting hundreds of visitors."
Orion swallowed, approaching the spot. A swirl of half-excitement, half-dread churned in his stomach. "No pressure," he murmured wryly.
Caitlyn laid a hand on his shoulder, echoing an unspoken reassurance they'd both grown used to. "You've done the work. Now just let them see it."
He nodded. "Jayce and I will set up the engine and harness bright and early tomorrow. We plan to do a static display, then a short demonstration every hour. The city council might drop by in the afternoon, which means that's our best shot at impressing them."
Caitlyn's eyes sparkled with confidence. "You'll do great. And if anything goes awry, I'll be there in the front row, cheering you on—or calling for reinforcements, whichever is needed," she teased.
They wandered around a bit more, noting the positioning of the exit doors, the adjacency to other exhibits. The Kiramman booth wasn't far, nor was the Talis family area. It felt almost surreal, seeing how everything was set up as if anticipating a wave of spectators.
A Quiet Interlude
Once they'd assessed the space, Caitlyn steered Orion outside. The Academy gardens stretched out—a manicured expanse of hedges, statues, and tinkling fountains. It was an oasis of calm that stood in stark contrast to the frantic hustle inside.
They settled onto a stone bench, the scent of blossoms mingling with the faint hiss of distant steam vents. Orion let his shoulders slump, tension easing a bit.
"Thanks," he said, voice softer now. "For dragging me away from the labs. I really needed a breather."
Caitlyn angled her body to face him, her jacket rustling. "Well, I'm your official caretaker, remember?" she teased, though there was genuine warmth in her tone. "But seriously, you give so much to these inventions—you sometimes forget you're human."
He gave a rueful smile. "True. Growing up, I was always the kid with a single arm, a damaged eye, and an obsession with building. That focus kept me going, but… yeah, it's exhausting."
A pensive quiet fell. The city's mechanical hum reached them even here, distant but constant.
Caitlyn broke the silence, voice thoughtful. "You know, my parents keep pressing me about why I'm set on being an enforcer. They think it's a phase, or that I'm just infatuated with the excitement. But it's more than that. I want to protect people, to uphold a sense of justice that sometimes gets lost in Piltover's politics."
Orion reached over, gently covering her hand with his. "I believe you. And if anyone can do it, it's you. You see the city for its potential good, but you're not blind to its flaws. That's a perfect mindset for an enforcer."
Her eyes flickered with gratitude. "Thanks. Means a lot coming from someone who's known me so long."
Neither spoke for a moment. A wave of understanding passed between them—two young people, forging their own paths in a city that demanded perfection. The hush stretched just long enough for Orion to notice how the sun highlighted the faint freckles on Caitlyn's cheeks.
He cleared his throat, letting go of her hand. "Tomorrow, then?" he asked, voice betraying a small tremor of nerves. "We show Piltover what's possible."
Caitlyn's lips curved into a supportive grin. "Yes, we do. And I'll be right there, in your corner."
Nightfall and Unsettled Hearts
By the time Orion departed the Academy grounds, dusk had painted the sky in lavender and gold. He returned to his workshop, ensuring his prototypes were neatly packed, triple-checking the harness's protective casings, and reviewing the Energon engine's regulator settings.
Jayce dropped by briefly, offering a final round of good-luck banter before heading off, citing last-minute tasks he had to finish for his own station.
Alone again, Orion sank into a stool, heart pounding with a mixture of dread and determination. This was it—the eve before the biggest event of his life so far. If the demonstration succeeded, it could usher in a new era of technology. If it failed, well… Piltover had a long memory for fiascos.
He closed his eyes, picturing the crowd in the Grand Hall, scanning for potential hazards. He recalled Caitlyn's unwavering support, her calm eyes encouraging him to trust his instincts. He pictured Jayce's confident grin, the handshake they'd shared, promising to push forward. Lastly, he felt the gentle press of Lady Kiramman and Tobias's hopes, along with countless others who had shown him kindness.
Taking a deep breath, Orion whispered to himself, "Just one more day. We can do this."
He locked up the workshop, stepping into the evening air. Streetlamps illuminated the roads, painting the cobblestones with pools of light. The city felt hushed, as though Piltover itself braced for the wave of brilliance and ambition that would arrive with dawn.
A half-moon peeked through scattered clouds, and Orion paused to glance at it, thinking about everything that led him here: from a wounded boy on a bridge to a budding inventor, shaping technology that could change lives.
He let the quiet swirl around him, then headed home, each step echoing a steady resolve. Tomorrow, Piltover would witness a new spark of possibility—and though the future remained uncertain, Orion was ready to face it head-on, mechanical arm, Energon engine, and all.