The Festival
The next morning Caitlyn woke up with the sun hitting her face. She dressed up and headed downstairs were she found Vi waiting for her with a small box on her hands. “Good morning this is for you,” Vi handed Caitlyn the small box. When she opened it, there was a cupcake inside it. “Isn’t too early to be eating something this sweet?” “You’ll be fine, now let’s go, we’ve got so much to do today.” Together they walked towards the Last Drop.
“Welcome” Vander said while cleaning a glass. “Are they ready?” “Yes they are. Powder! Vi’s here!” Powder came back running with Isha behind her. She hugged Vi and then moved to hug Caitlyn “Nice to see you again.” “Ah yes nice to see you too” replied Caitlyn stuttering. The hug had caught her by surprise. Isha then hugged Vi and then Caitlyn. She was not used to this kind of physical contact. She actually liked it. “Alright let’s go.”
All four girls headed towards the downtown part of Zaun to meet with a Ekko, one of Vi and Jinx’s friend. Apparently as told by Vi, he was the one in charge of the festival. They arrived at Ekko’s home. He greeted Caitlyn with a firm handshake presenting himself as Ekko and let the girls in. “Here you go” he handed all them a piece of paper that that had a map with all the games and food stands. They spent the rest of the day at his home explaining how the festival worked and what to do if they got lost.
Once the night hit, they headed towards the festival. Caitlyn’s eyes were wide with amazement. The air was alive with the sound of laughter and music as the Zaunites competed in various games and danced around. Caitlyn was marveled at the large amount of food stands with mouthwatering food—roasted pheasants, honey-glazed pastries, and exotic fruits she’d never seen before. Caitlyn couldn't help but feel a deep sense of joy and belonging, surrounded by the warmth of the people. The festival, with its riot of colors, delicious food, and thrilling games, felt like a magical place for Caitlyn.
“Alright sis, me Isha and Ekko will head to the food stands. Mylo and Claggor will join later. You wanna come with us?” “Actually I wanna show Caitlyn something ya go ahead we’ll catch up later.” Waving goodbye they all went their separate ways.
“So where exactly are we going?” “You’ll see right now” “Is it very far away?” “Be patient, and no, it’s not far away.”
Vi led Caitlyn through alleyways and got on rooftops, the festival's glow fading behind them. As they walked, Caitlyn felt the pulse of the city beneath her feet left behind.
Finally, they reached a rooftop overlooking the heart of the festival. The view was breathtaking. Below them, the streets were full of colors and life, while above, the stars glittered like jewels in the sky.
Vi turned to Caitlyn. "I wanted to show you this," she said softly. "It's my favorite spot in Zaun. A place where you can see the whole city, where you can feel its heartbeat."
Caitlyn was speechless, the beauty of the scene leaving her breathless. "It's incredible," she finally managed to say. "Thank you for bringing me here."
Vi smiled, her usual tough exterior softening. "Zaun can be rough, but it has its moments of beauty. I wanted you to see that.”
They stood there in silence for a moment, soaking in the view. The sounds of the festival drifted up to them, a distant sound that spoke of joy and unity.
As they turned to head back to the festival, Caitlyn felt a deep sense of connection to Vi. What was this feeling? She realized that it wasn't just the colors or the food that made the festival magical—it was Vi.
"Ready to join the others?" Vi asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Absolutely," Caitlyn replied, her heart full.
With a shared glance and a smile, they descended from the rooftop and made their way back into the vibrant heart of the festival, ready to enjoy the rest of the night together.
They played games that favored them. Caitlyn would try and win on shooting games while Vi would do the ones related to the use of strength. They had gotten so many toys and prizes that they decided to give them to any kid they saw around.
Everyone gathered for food at one restaurant. Caitlyn and Vi still had a lot prizes they had won on the games and decided to give them all to Isha. They all sat at a table, Mylo and Claggor sat side by side in front of Jinx and Ekko who sat together with Isha in between them and Vi and Caitlyn sat in front of each other.
Once the food arrive, they enjoyed the meal and the conversations flowed freely. Mylo and Claggor playfully argued over who had won more games, Jinx and Ekko engaged in a debate about the best strategy for the festival's competitions, while Isha listened intently.
Vi and Caitlyn would occasionally glance at each other, Caitlyn feeling a sense of belonging she had rarely experienced before. It was in these moments of connection, surrounded by friends that she realized just how much she had grown to care and appreciate Vi’s company.
The night wore on, and the restaurant began to empty as other festival-goers headed home. Yet, the group remained, enjoying every moment together. Stories were shared, memories were made, and bonds were strengthened.
Finally, after hours of chatting, they decided it was time to leave. They gathered their belongings and stepped out into the cool night air, the sounds of the festival still echoing in the distance.
With a final group hug, they went their separate ways, their hearts full of the memories they had created.
Caitlyn walked beside Vi, a sense of contentment washing over her. "Thank you for tonight," she said quietly. "It was magical." Vi smiled, her eyes reflecting the warmth of their shared experiences. "You’re welcome cupcake”
On the fourth day both Caitlyn and Vi were too tired to get up early, so they decided to take the whole day to rest and relax ordering food to their respective rooms.
On the fifth day, the last day at Zaun, Vi took Caitlyn out for a walk through the city until night hit. They headed to the Last Drop that was packed with people.
The Last Drop was buzzing with energy, the light casting a vivid glow over the crowd. Vi and Caitlyn squeezed their way to the bar and ordered Sevika some drinks, something strong to match the lively atmosphere. The first few sips were enough to ease the tension, and soon they were laughing, the alcohol weaving its way through their veins.
As the night wore on and the drinks kept flowing, Vi noticed the sparkle in Caitlyn's eyes when she looked at the others dancing. She leaned in closer, her voice just loud enough to be heard over the music. "Hey, cupcake, how about a dance?" Caitlyn blushed, shaking her head. "I'm not much of a dancer, Vi." "Nonsense," Vi replied, taking her hand gently. "I promise it'll be fun. Just let go and enjoy the moment."