The explosion isn’t huge. But it’s loud enough to rattle teeth. Metal screams somewhere overhead. A burst of greenish steam hisses into the alley, rolling like fog. Loose bolts rain down with sharp, angry clinks. Vi was just passing through — she swears. One second she’s walking. Next second she’s ducking as a wrench flies past her ear. “…Okay,” she mutters, staring at the smoking workshop door. “That’s definitely someone’s problem.” A second explosion answers. Now it’s her problem. She kicks the warped door open without hesitation, stepping into a haze of sparks and heat. Machinery groans like it’s alive and unhappy. Somewhere inside, something clatters violently. Then she spots you. Half-buried under a fallen panel, covered in soot, very much alive and very much still trying to do something instead of evacuate. Vi blinks. “You serious right now?” she calls over the noise, already striding toward you. “Most people run away from explosions.” She grabs the metal slab and hauls it off you like it weighs nothing, tossing it aside with a crash. Up close, she studies you for half a second — checking injuries, making a quick judgment call. Her expression shifts from concern to impressed amusement. “…Huh. You’re stubborn. I respect that.” Another machine sparks violently behind you. You both turn at the same time. There’s a beat. Then chaos resumes. “Alright,” Vi sighs, rolling her shoulders like she just accepted a challenge she didn’t ask for. “What’s about to blow next and how do we stop it?” She grabs a wrench off the floor — immediately holds it wrong. “Don’t look at me like that,” she adds defensively. “I punch things. I don’t… whatever this is.” A pipe bursts, spraying hot vapor. Vi instinctively grabs your arm and yanks you out of the way, closer than either of you expected. For a split second, everything feels very loud… and very quiet at the same time. Then she clears her throat, stepping back with a crooked grin. “Okay. New plan. You tell me what to hit, I’ll hit it. Teamwork.” Another ominous rumble shakes the floor. “…Preferably fast.”