Chapter 5
Chapter V
Vi could feel the burn in her knuckles, the skin sensitive from nearly an hour of nonstop punches. Her breathing was heavy, her muscles tense, the rhythmic echo of her fists against the punching bag marking a pattern that helped her keep her head straight. Or at least try to.
But it wasn't working very well.
Each blow resonated in her head like an echo of what had happened days ago.
Powder's icy tone. The tension in Caitlyn's voice. The emptiness in the silence that followed.
Vi hadn't been there to witness it all, but she'd heard enough through the closed door despite Ekko’s protest. Enough to know that her sister was furious, in a way she'd rarely seen. Enough to know that Caitlyn had been rendered speechless by the attacks.
Enough to feel trapped in the middle of something she didn't understand.
Her jaw tightened as she remembered the way Powder had spoken hours later, when she'd dropped her off at the apartment after they'd closed. Vi had expected her to be upset, but not like that. Not with the rigidity that emanated from her body, her hands in fists, with that suppressed fury she could barely keep within herself. She'd felt the vibration of her voice when Powder had told her, through clenched jaw, that the Piltover woman would never bother them again.
As if Caitlyn had been a threat.
Vi growled and threw another punch, feeling the impact vibrate through her bones. She understood Powder, of course she did. Her sister had always been protective of her, even when it was unnecessary, even when Vi didn't want it.
But something about the way she had spoken… Something about the way she had held on so tightly to her anger…
Vi didn't understand that.
Another hit.
And another
Another.
Another.
The image of Caitlyn in her mind wouldn't go away. That infuriating yet oddly charming woman from Piltover who had managed to worm her way into her life before she could stop her.
Vi hadn’t wanted to take her to Powder. Not at first. And her fears had been confirmed when she’d seen the result. But the way she’d talked about the gallery, about how she wanted to give Zaun’s artists a real chance… it had felt genuine. She wasn’t like the other piltis Vi has dealt with before. Not condescending. Not superior. Just someone who wanted to do something more.
That was what frustrated her the most.
Because a part of her—a very annoying part, one she didn’t want to admit out loud—believed that Caitlyn didn’t deserve to be treated that way. She believed that Powder had been too harsh, too unfair. Vi couldn’t get the cold tone in her sister’s voice out of her head, the way her anger had felt almost personal, as if Caitlyn had committed an unforgivable crime just by existing.
But Vi couldn't remember a single time when Caitlyn had been cruel, not a single word said with ill intent. What she did remember was the way Caitlyn's voice had shaken as she tried to explain herself, the way she'd tried to extend an offer of peace only to have Powder push her away before she even had a chance.
Another blow, a little stronger than the previous ones.
Her knuckles were beginning to burn beyond comfort.
It wasn’t that Vi didn’t understand where her sister was coming from. She knew all too well the grudges Powder held against Piltover, the way the years had hardened her worldview. But did Caitlyn really deserve to be put in the same box as everyone else? To be treated as if she were the equal of those who had never looked upon Zaun with anything but disdain?
Something in her chest tightened as she remembered Caitlyn’s silences, the way she hadn’t responded, as if she’d somehow accepted the scorn without even trying to defend herself. Vi had spent years training her senses to compensate for her blindness, and so she knew how to read people better than most. And what she’d sensed in Caitlyn that day wasn’t guilt. It wasn’t arrogance.
It was pain.
And that pissed her off more than she was willing to admit.
One more blow.
This time too strong.
The bag recoiled and came back too quickly. Vi miscalculated. She only had a second to see the sudden black shadow coming violently towards her. The impact hit her full in the face, sending her reeling. A grunt of pain escaped her throat as her back hit the ground with a loud thud.
Vi lay there for a moment, feeling the sting in her nose, the echo of her own grunt resonating in the empty gym.
“Fuck…” she muttered, bringing a hand to her face.
Serves her right. For being distracted. For not being able to stop thinking about Caitlyn Kiramman. For not being able to decide what the hell to do about her.
Because if someone asked her which side she was on, Caitlyn’s or Powder, she wasn't sure she had an answer.
And that was driving her crazy.
Vi was so deep in thought that she hadn't even noticed the other person's presence until she announced herself.
“You're leaving too many openings.”
The deep voice broke the silence of the gym like the snap of leather against skin.
Vi tensed instantly. Ignoring the stinging pain in her face and the slight feeling of dizziness, she jumped upright with her fists raised, turning her head in the direction of the sound. Her breathing was still heavy from training, and her skin glistened with the sweat accumulated after nearly an hour of punishing the punching bag.
“Don’t tell me you’re tired already, champ,” Sevika dragged out the nickname mockingly.
Vi lowered her arms with a huff and ran a hand through her damp hair, brushing the sticky strands away from her forehead.
“How long have you been standing there like a fucking shadow?”
Sevika chuckled, a low, mocking sound.
“Enough to see that you're hitting that bag like it's more than just a bag.”
Vi frowned, but didn't answer. She made her way to the bench with heavy steps, plopping down on the cold wood. She didn't feel like arguing, but the silence didn't stop Sevika from continuing.
“That’s curious. You didn’t realize I was here. That doesn’t happen to you often.”
Vi clenched her jaw. She hated it. She hated it when someone pointed out her weaknesses like they were obvious. Like she didn't work every damn day to make sure her blindness didn't make her vulnerable.
“I was focused,” she said dryly.
Sevika approached, her footsteps echoing calmly on the concrete floor.
“No, kid. You were distracted.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“What?” Sevika asked, feigning ignorance.
Vi raised her head, frustrated.
“Kid. I’m not a little girl, you know that.”
Sevika let out a mocking laugh.
“Oh, I know… kid.”
Vi felt the other woman stop right in front of her, too close. Under the harsh light of the gym, she could easily make out her silhouette: dark clothing, relaxed but imposing posture, and that damned aura of superiority that always accompanied her. Vi didn't move away, even though her instincts told her to.
Sevika was not one to butt into other people's business for no reason. If she was here, if she had been watching her, it was because she had seen something Vi didn't want to admit.
“Something is eating away at your head,” Sevika continued. “Who is it?”
Vi felt a chill run down her spine.
"What?"
“When you fight in anger, you strike fast and hard. No mercy. But this time…” Sevika paused, as if choosing her words carefully. “This time, you struck with hesitation.”
Vi felt her heart racing, as if her body was responding before her mind.
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” she growled, turning her head to the side and feeling around on the bench for her water bottle.
Sevika let out a low, almost amused laugh. She sat down beside her without asking permission and silently handed her the bottle. Vi accepted it with some reluctance.
“You sure about that? Because anyone who saw you might think you felt guilty about something.”
Vi clenched her fists.
“I have nothing to feel guilty about.”
“Ah. So, it’s because of someone then.”
Vi felt the blow of those words like a fist in the stomach.
Her relationship with Sevika was ambiguous. Vi respected her greatly, there was no doubt about that. Sevika had been the only one who, from the beginning, had treated her as an equal. Without pity, without condescension, without restrictions because of her blindness. She had pushed her to the limits of her capabilities, beyond what Vander had ever dared, and Vi was really grateful for that.
But their relationship never went beyond the professional. Sevika had taken on the role of coach when Vander had stopped, when his guilt had become too consuming to guide her any longer. On more than one occasion, that had led to friction with Powder, whose overprotectiveness of Vi had clashed with Sevika’s hardline philosophy. Over the years though, the two had come to an understanding, but the tension was always there.
And yet, they never talked about personal things.
This was new.
And the worst part was that Vi couldn't say that it bothered her at all. There was something about Sevika's nonchalance, about her way of just telling things like they were, that made opening up not feel like a bad thing.
Vi took a sip of water, giving herself a few seconds to decide what to say. Her throat felt dry, but she knew it wasn't from the training.
“…Powder and Caitlyn argued.”
Sevika tilted her head towards her.
“Who the hell is Caitlyn?”
Vi exhaled through her nose, massaging her temples with her fingers. Of course, Sevika had no idea.
“It’s… someone from Piltover,” she said cautiously.
Sevika gave a short laugh.
“That already sounds problematic.”
Vi shot a warning glance in her direction, though she doubted it would do any difference.
“She’s not. She’s not like the other arrogant people of Piltover,” Vi continued, trying to find the words. “She’s different. She doesn’t look down on the people of Zaun. On me. She wants to know, to understand.”
Sevika crossed her arms and tilted her head.
“Uh-huh. So why did she fight with your cute sister?” she asked with sarcasm.
Vi huffed, running a hand over her face in frustration.
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “That’s what pisses me off the most. I don’t know what happened. I heard parts of the argument, but Ekko wouldn’t even let me be present…”
The way Sevika moved, as if she was holding back a laugh, left a bad taste in Vi's mouth.
“Ekko didn’t let you?”
Vi clamped her mouth shut, but Sevika was already smirking.
“Wow, that’s interesting.”
“Don’t start.”
“I’m not starting anything,” Sevika replied, a barely perceptible mockery in her tone. “I’m just saying it’s funny. You’re always the one who takes the blame for your sister when she explodes and control her. But this time they didn’t let you. Yeah… very funny.”
Vi bit the inside of her cheek, feeling a pang of annoyance at the aptness of the comment.
“It’s not just that,” she said, deciding to move on. “It’s that no one tells me anything. Not Powder, not Ekko, or Vander! No one. They all act like I’m the last person who has the right to know what’s going on.”
“Maybe you are.”
Vi turned her head with a frown.
"What do you mean?"
Sevika sighed and leaned against the wall, resting one arm on her knee.
“Look, Vi. I don’t know what the hell Powder has up her sleeve against this Caitlyn, but I do know that you’re the last person she wants to say anything to that will make her look weak.”
Vi pursed her lips.
"It's not that."
“No?” Sevika gave her a skeptical look. “Come on, Vi. This isn’t the first time this has happened. Your sister keeps things from you because you let her. Because you keep treating her like she’s the only one who has the right to decide what’s good for you.”
Vi felt her stomach tighten uncomfortably.
“It’s not true,” she whispered.
“It is,” Sevika insisted, no trace of doubt in her voice. “You say you don’t want to be called a kid, that you’re not the same little girl I meet years ago. But as soon as Powder frowns and raises her voice a little, you step aside and let her command you. As if you were still five years old.”
Vi felt a mixture of anger and shame burn in her chest.
“It’s not that simple.”
“Of course it is,” Sevika shrugged. “I’m not saying you don’t have to protect or support her. That’s fine, you’re her only real family after all. The one by blood at least. But what about you? Who protects you? Your sister does, yes. But she hadn’t done it in the right way for years and you know it. Who really supports you when you feel something is wrong? Because from what you’re telling me, no one seems to care what you think about this.”
Vi looked down, clenching the water bottle in her hands.
“It’s not her fault. Powder… she’s been through a lot.”
“And you haven’t?” Sevika asked harshly.
Vi didn't know what to answer.
The gym fell into a thick silence. Vi felt the pressure in her chest growing with every second. The helplessness of not knowing the truth, the frustration of being treated as if she had no right to understand what was happening. And, deep down, guilt.
Guilt because a part of her knew Caitlyn didn't deserve what happened. Guilt because Vi hadn't been brave or strong enough that day to stand up to Powder and defend Caitlyn.
Sevika sighed.
“Look, I’m not telling you to go fight your sister over this. But if you really think she’s overstepped the mark, do something. Talk to her. Or talk with this Caitlyn girl. Whatever. But stop sitting there waiting for someone else to decide for you.”
Vi clenched her jaw. Sevika was right. And she hated how easy it was for her to see that when Vi herself hadn't been able to understand it for days.
“You have to decide what you want to do with this, Vi,” she continued, “Because if you keep waiting for someone else to do it, by the time you realize it, it may be too late.”
Vi exhaled heavily.
“…I hate it when you’re right.”
Sevika smirked.
"I’m always right, kid."
Vi snorted and finished the rest of the water in one gulp. However, for the first time in days, she felt like her head was a little clearer.
:::
The air was different in Piltover. Vi felt it as soon as she crossed the border, as soon as she left behind the oppressive heat and the smell of burnt oil in Zaun.
The wind felt cleaner here, less heavy, but it was laden with a scent of polished metal and floral perfumes that was foreign to her. A shiver ran down her spine as her boots touched the cobblestones. Firmer, more even. Too orderly.
It was overwhelming.
The lights, first of all. Not that Vi could see them perfectly, but she felt them. They tingled brightly against her skin like a constant burn, as if Piltover never knew true darkness. Her world was usually made up of shadows and blurry shapes, but here… Here the shadows faded into the glare, and it disoriented her. Everything was so… bright. Sparkling.
The sounds were different, too. In Zaun, you learned to listen for what mattered, to distinguish familiar noises from dangerous ones. Piltover, on the other hand, didn’t have that kind of chaos. It wasn’t a predictable bustle, but a swarm of elegant footsteps and conversations in too refined tones, mixed with the hum of machines she couldn’t identify. She didn’t feel safer than Zaun. She felt worse. Because here, danger wasn’t a blow you could dodge or a threat you could smell before it came. Here, danger was silent. It was subtle.
Vi had mapped out a route before coming. She wasn't an idiot. She knew that getting here wasn't going to be easy, and that's why she had a map on her cell phone. The earpiece in her ear quietly read out the directions to her.
But that was not enough.
Because the streets weren’t made for someone like her. She couldn’t recognize landmarks, or follow the crowd when every step she took seemed to be in the wrong direction. More than once she felt frustration bite at her chest when the voice assistant told her she’d missed her turn without even noticing.
She squeezed the phone tightly, as if the device was to blame.
“Calm down,” she whispered to herself. But it was no use.
Because people kept running into her, without even looking at her. Without apologizing.
Because the automatic voice in her ear couldn't tell her how many steps she had to go down or warn her about the railings or posts that appeared out of nowhere and left one more mark on her. More signs that she didn't belong there.
Because every stumble made her more aware that she had no control here.
And if there was one thing Vi hated, it was feeling helpless.
But her stubbornness was stronger than her fear.
So, she kept walking, even when the cold metal of a railing hit her arm and she had to turn abruptly in another direction. She kept walking, even when a man passed too close, brushing her shoulder, and made her tense on instinct, expecting a blow that never came. She kept walking, even when her cell phone told her, in its emotionless, indifferent tone, that she still had twelve blocks left.
Her patience, already hanging by a thread, was worn thin with every stumble, with every sidelong glance that felt like a pinprick on her skin. Piltover was a damned labyrinth of identical streets and useless addresses. And worse still, people moved around her as if she didn't exist.
What drove her mad the most wasn’t the city itself, but its people. No one looked directly at her. No one recognized her as a person, only as an obstacle in their path. In Zaun, if you bumped into someone, you prepared for a fight or at least an insult. Here, they ignored her. As if she were invisible.
And even though every fiber of her body screamed at her to turn around and go back home, Vi didn't stop.
Because Caitlyn wasn't in Zaun.
And Vi had to see her and make things right again.
Frustration burned in her throat as she felt another blow to her shoulder. This time, someone had crashed into her without even slowing down. Vi turned her head sharply.
"Hey asshole!" she snapped, her voice clipped.
The man, dressed in a smart coat as far as she could make out, barely turned around, his expression annoyed.
"Watch where you walk," he muttered nonchalantly, before simply continuing on his way.
Vi felt her blood boil.
Watch where you walk.
She.
Sevika’s taunt echoed in her head: You keep letting yourself be treated like a child.
No. She wasn't going to let someone with more money than sense walk all over her like she was nothing.
Her fingers curled into a fist around her cane, and before she thought about it, she took a step towards him, ready to grab his neck and make him apologize. But then, she felt a hand on her wrist.
"That's not going to end well."
The voice was calm, with a Zaunite accent that Vi instantly recognized.
She turned her face in the direction of the person who had stopped her, her senses focusing on the new presence. There was something peculiar about the way this person spoke, a mixture of patience and weariness.
“Vi,” the man said, and the sound of his name on her lips surprised her.
She squinted, trying to make out the blurry face in front of her. What she made out were thin lines, a walk that seemed measured and precise, leaning on something—a cane? —and a voice that, she now realized, sounded familiar.
Vi couldn't see clearly, but she remembered him. Maybe not exactly the way he looked now, in clothes that fit too well in Piltover, but the way he sounded.
"...Viktor?"
The man nodded with a slight smile, loosening his grip on her wrist.
"It's been a while."
Vi blinked, her anger barely dissipating in surprise. Of all the people who could have stopped her, Viktor was the last one she would have expected.
She didn't know him very well, but Zaun was a place where you remembered names and faces easily, especially if someone stood out as he had. Much more for her, cause Viktor had made an indelible impression on Vi when she was still a teenager. He had encouraged her to live a different way and to put aside the bitterness that had eaten away her soul when her world had suddenly become much darker and more incomprehensible. And although he was now dressed like a regular Piltovan, he still had the air of a Zaunite, of someone who understood what it meant to grow up there.
"Yeah… I guess so," she finally answered, her voice still tight with adrenaline.
Viktor inclined his head slightly towards the man Vi had been about to confront, who was now far enough away that the conflict would not escalate.
"It's not worth it," he said calmly.
Vi let out a huff, trying to control the rage still simmering in her chest.
"Maybe not for you," she murmured.
Viktor didn't argue right away. He just watched her for a moment before sighing.
"Come on. You can't just wander around the city like that without getting yourself into more trouble."
Vi hesitated. Part of her wanted to continue on her own, to prove that she didn't need help. But the other part, the one that was tired and frustrated and lost, knew that this was the closest she had to a break.
So, reluctantly, she decided to follow him.
Vi let herself be guided in silence as Viktor led her through a quieter street, away from the relentless flow of the city. She barely noticed that her shoulders had relaxed slightly, that her jaw was no longer so tense. Piltover suffocated her, made her feel small, exposed, and while she wasn’t sure if trusting Viktor was the best decision, at least he was a constant amidst the chaos.
When they finally stopped, Vi rested her hands on her hips, catching her breath from the built-up tension. She didn't know what to say. It had been so long since she'd spoken to Viktor, but at the same time, she didn't feel like she was talking to a stranger. There was something about him, his calm tone, the way he spoke to her as if he still remembered the stubborn little girl from Zaun, that gave her a strange sense of familiarity.
Viktor was the first to break the silence.
"So," he said curiously, crossing his arms over the chest, "what brings you to Piltover, Vi?"
She exhaled through her nose, tilting her head to the side.
"I'm looking for a place," she admitted, with some reluctance.
Viktor raised his eyebrows, though his expression remained patient.
"A particular place or are you just getting lost for sport?"
Vi let out a dry, humorless laugh.
“If it was a sport, I think I would have won by now,” she muttered before pausing. Viktor didn’t push her, just waited. Ultimately, Vi decided to trust him. She wasn’t sure why—perhaps because in a sea of strangers, Viktor was the only person who could still see her connection to Zaun.
"I want to get to the Kiramman Gallery," she finally confessed.
Viktor blinked in genuine surprise.
"The Kiramman Gallery?" he repeated, as if to make sure he had heard correctly.
Vi nodded with a snort.
"Yeah, that's what I said. I don't know exactly where it is, but if I keep relying on the map, I'll probably end up walking straight into the ocean."
Viktor didn't answer right away. Something in his expression changed, as if he were putting two and two together in his head. Finally, he let out a soft laugh, a sound so unexpected that it made Vi frown.
"What?"
Viktor shook his head, still smiling in amusement.
"It's funny, that's all. Of all the places you might have wanted to go, you chose that gallery."
Vi felt a pang of discomfort in her chest.
"Why? Is there something wrong with it?" she asked, with a caution disguised as disinterest.
"Not at all," Viktor shook his head, still with that hint of amusement in his voice. "It's just that… I'm friends with the owner, Caitlyn."
Now it was turn for her to be left surprised.
"Wait, really?"
"Yes," Viktor nodded. "We've known each other for years. She was one of the few people who didn't see me as just a Zaunite when I first came here."
Vi gulped. It was strange, too strange. Of all the people she could have met, Viktor happened to be someone close to Caitlyn. She didn't know what to feel about that.
"And what is your relationship with her?" Viktor asked, a slight curiosity in his voice.
Vi hesitated.
"It's... complicated," she finally said, scratching the back of her neck.
Viktor watched her for a moment before nodding, as if he understood not to press any further.
"Well," he said at last, straightening up. "If you really want to get to the gallery, I can escort you there. It'll save you a lot of unnecessary stumbling and fighting."
Vi crossed her arms. Again, she didn't like to admit that she needed help. But if she was honest with herself, she couldn't afford to turn him down.
"...Okay," she said at last, with a resigned snort.
Viktor smirked and started walking.
"Follow me, then."
:::
The air inside the gallery was different. Cold, sterile, scented with a mix of varnish and something floral she couldn’t quite place. Despite the spaciousness of the place, Vi felt instantly trapped.
She didn't belong there.
It was ridiculous, considering she'd just been through the nightmare of moving through the streets of Piltover, but at least there was noise out there, movement, life. Here, everything was too quiet, too calculated. Marble floors that echoed back the sound of her boots, white walls that made everything stand out as if it were sacred.
Vi felt her hands sweat and wiped them surreptitiously against her jacket, forcing herself to breathe.
“I’ll leave you for a moment. I don’t think it will take long to find Caitlyn.” Viktor’s voice brought her out of her thoughts.
Vi nodded, not daring to say anything yet. She felt the light tap of his staff on the ground before Viktor walked away, leaving her completely alone in the stifling vastness.
What was she supposed to do now?
She stood still for a moment, her senses invaded by the strangeness of the place. Even without seeing clearly, she could make out the silhouettes of the massive paintings and sculptures surrounding her. Some were sharper, defined by intense colors that seemed to vibrate under the light, while others were just blurry spots in her impaired vision. It took her a moment to realize that the discomfort in her chest came not just from the place, but from uncertainty.
What would she say to Caitlyn when she saw her?
For the first time since she'd made the decision to come, doubt hit her hard. What if this was a mistake? What if what had happened with Powder was just the beginning of something bigger, something she couldn't understand?
Maybe she should leave before it was too late.
Vi took a step back, intending to move, when the sound of approaching voices stopped her dead in her tracks.
“…I must admit that this is unexpected.”
The tone was refined, confident. Vi turned her face slightly in the direction of the voice, but it was another one that made her stomach drop.
“Vi?”
It was Caitlyn.
Vi blinked, fighting the urge to back away even further. She had no idea what her face could be expressing at that moment, but from Caitlyn's tone, it was clear that her presence had surprised her.
Vi took a deep breath, preparing to say something, anything, when a third figure stepped forward, its silhouette elegant and perfectly upright.
“Friend of yours, Cait?”
The question wasn’t laden with mockery or condescension, but the way the woman was looking at her—or at least, the way Vi felt her attention on her—made her instinctively sit up straight, her cane planted firmly between her and the rest. As if it were enough of a barrier to prevent any conflict. Though, deep down, she knew there was nothing she could do to prevent what was already brewing in the air. The tension was palpable, and the silence had settled in the air.
“Something like that,” Caitlyn murmured finally, her voice soft but laden with a kind of doubt that couldn’t be ignored. Vi saw the slight shift in Caitlyn’s posture as she took a step forward before stopping. The slight hesitation in her movements conveyed a sense of discomfort, but it was something different from the hostility Vi had anticipated. It was as if Caitlyn was in conflict with herself, but she couldn’t quite grasp it.
"Vi, this is a real surprise and it's not that you're not welcome, but... what are you doing here?" Caitlyn's voice had a slightly colder tone. Vi felt the twist in the air, the way the words settled on each other, as if Caitlyn wanted to draw boundaries without being too direct.
Vi pressed her lips together slightly, feeling a sudden dryness in her mouth.
"I wanted to talk to you," she finally said, tilting her head slightly to try and focus better on Caitlyn's figure standing in front. Every word that came out of her mouth sounded firmer than she actually felt inside. "I didn't get a chance to before you left the other day…"
Caitlyn sighed, running a hand through her hair automatically, as if she were tired, exhausted from having to deal with all of this. Vi noticed that the gesture was not only a sign of exhaustion, but also of discomfort. Something was bothering her, but Vi didn't know what it was. She couldn't see the expression on her face, but the hesitation in her posture, the little turn she had made with her foot as if she were wondering whether to come closer or not, gave her a clue.
"Yeah, well... your sister didn't give me much of a choice, did she?" Caitlyn's response was laced with bitterness and a bit of sarcasm, as if she was trying to hide her frustration with dry humor. Vi couldn't help but feel like there was more to those words than she was willing to admit. "In fact, if my memory serves me right, I don't even have the right to breathe near you."
Vi winced at the sarcasm, a humorless laugh spilling out of her mouth that she couldn't stop. "Yeah… that was perhaps a bit of an exaggeration," she muttered, not expecting a clear answer right away.
The tall and slender figure, who had been watching silently, now decided to intervene. Her voice, soft but full of curiosity, broke the silence.
"So, this is the famous Zaun’s hero?" The woman took a step forward, her tone friendly but with a glint of interest in her words. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Mel Medarda."
Vi, completely taken by surprise, turned her head slightly, feeling that the atmosphere around her had changed somehow. The woman had an imposing presence, but at the same time, her voice reflected something almost intriguing. But what surprised her the most was that she knew her.
Had Caitlyn talked to her about what had happened?
"Mel Medarda?" Vi repeated, not quite understanding, but sensing something important in the way Caitlyn reacted to her intervention. She finally approached her more confidently.
Vi licked her lips, feeling the weight of the moment on her shoulders. It wasn’t the first time someone had looked at her with interest, but there was something about the way Mel looked at her, the softness of her tone, that made her feel… exposed. Not in the way she normally did when in an unfamiliar environment, but in a different way, as if the woman in front of her was assessing something more than just her presence.
Vi had no idea what to do with that.
"Yes, Vi." Mel repeated her name in a slow rhythm, almost tasting it on her tongue. "Caitlyn told me a lot about you."
The admission took her by surprise.
"Oh, yeah?" Vi asked with a slight tilt of her head. "What exactly?"
It took Mel a second to respond, but when she did, her tone was light, with a hint of interest that Vi couldn't read.
"Oh, just that you're someone… hard to ignore."
Vi blinked.
She wasn't sure if that was a compliment or a fancy way of calling her a troublemaker. Maybe both?
But before she could ask, Caitlyn stepped forward.
"Mel," she interrupted in a firm tone, "Vi didn't come here to be questioned."
“Questioned?” Mel gave a small laugh. “Such a strong word, dear. I’m just getting to know her.”
Vi felt a slight shift in Caitlyn's posture beside her. It was subtle, but the sudden closeness made her aware of the tension in the air.
"My, how adorable you are, Cait," Mel continued with a hint of elegant mockery. "I didn't know you had a habit of speaking up for others."
Vi frowned.
"Uh… I speak for myself," she interjected, trying to ease the tension that had suddenly set in.
"I know," Mel replied, and for some reason, the tone in her voice made her feel like she was smiling. "In fact, I was hoping you would."
Vi didn't understand what exactly Mel was implying, but the way Caitlyn shifted beside her, her weight shifting slightly on her feet, made her assume there was something more going on.
"And what else has Caitlyn told you about me?" Vi asked, more out of curiosity than anything else.
"Vi—"
"Oh, lots of things." Mel ignored the interruption with a nonchalant air. "But I guess what I'm most curious about is what she hasn’t said yet."
Vi raised an eyebrow, not sure how to take the comment.
"What does that mean?"
"I just wonder…" Mel let the sentence hang in the air for a second, as if she were savoring it. "How did someone so… intriguing end up with my boring, predictable dear friend?"
Vi felt a pang of bewilderment.
"Uh I…"
"Mel." Caitlyn said her name with a clear warning, but the other woman seemed to enjoy every second of it.
"Come on, Cait," Mel replied in a lazy but sharp tone. "Admit it's interesting. It's not every day you bring someone like that into this finely controlled world."
Vi felt the need to intervene, although she wasn't sure what exactly was going on. This Mel woman was teasing Caitlyn, but it was a joke only the two of them knew about. And one that only Mel seemed to enjoy.
"Caitlyn didn't bring me here," she said, trying to clear things up. "I came here on my own."
"Oh, I know," Mel murmured, her tone low, almost playful. "But that doesn't change the fact that Cait seems to have a... particular interest in you."
Vi opened her mouth to respond, but stopped when she felt the subtle change in Caitlyn's posture.
The discomfort.
The tension.
Caitlyn was upset.
Before she could try to figure it out, she felt Caitlyn move just a little closer to her side, placing herself subtly between her and Mel, her voice firm and cutting.
"Vi isn't here to be anyone's entertainment, Mel."
Vi felt the situation was getting out of hand.
"Okay, okay, wait a minute." she raised her hands in a gesture of surrender and decided to get straight to the point. "I have no idea what's going on here, but I came to apologize to you, Caitlyn."
Her reaction was immediate.
"Apologize?"
“Yes, and talk.” Vi lightly moved her cane on the ground, trying to focus on her own words. “About what happened with Powder… about how she treated you. I didn’t get a chance before and I wanted to…” she paused, trying in vain to find the right words so stupidly repeated: “I wanted to apologize.”
Silence.
The kind of heavy silence that made Vi nervous, like she was walking a tightrope, not knowing if the next step would be her last.
"Vi, you don't have to—"
"Yes, I do," she insisted. "I practically led you into an ambush. And although I didn't know exactly that Powder would react like that, I didn't do anything to prevent it either and... I, well-"
She cut herself off, suddenly remembering that they weren't alone. Caitlyn didn't respond immediately. Vi felt something in her tense, as if she were processing what she'd said.
And then, to her dismay, Mel spoke again.
"Truly fascinating."
Vi felt the attention once again drifting in a direction she didn't understand.
"Fascinating?" Caitlyn repeated, her tone sharp.
"I'm serious." Mel sounded almost amused. "Such a sincere apology… Not just anyone would take the time to do something like that, much less in a place like this."
Vi frowned, completely lost on the meaning.
"What's so strange about this place?"
Mel let out a small laugh, but before she could respond, Viktor decided to intervene.
"I think what Vi is trying to say is that she would like a private conversation, right?"
Vi turned her head towards him, relieved that someone understood.
"Yes," she confirmed. "That's right."
"Then," Viktor said, "perhaps the politest thing to do would be to give you both a moment alone."
Vi couldn't see Mel's expression, but she felt her pause.
"Of course," Mel finally said, though her tone sounded a little too pleased. "I wouldn't want to interrupt something so important."
Caitlyn let out a low sigh, one that Vi didn't quite understand, but it made her turn to look at the woman.
"Thank you" Caitlyn said, the tension evident in her words
The silence that followed Mel and Viktor's departure was thick, but not awkward in the traditional sense. Vi couldn't see Caitlyn's expression, but she could feel her still close to her, the way her breathing was a little deeper than normal, like she was gathering her thoughts before she spoke.
"My office is upstairs," Caitlyn said after a moment, her tone softer than Vi had expected. "We'll be able to talk better there."
Vi nodded, adjusting her grip on her staff so she could follow her.
And then she thought about it.
The stairs.
There was something about asking for help with that sort of thing that always made her stomach turn. She didn’t mind asking when she needed it, but with Caitlyn… it felt different. Maybe because she was used to being the strong one, the independent one, the one who could handle herself. At least in Zaun it was like that. But it had already become clear enough to Vi that in Piltover her independence was practically non-existent, at least until she had a little more experience.
She decided to ignore for the moment the possibility that she might be able to return to the city in the future.
The truth is, if she really wanted to have this conversation, she needed to get up there.
Vi licked her lips and exhaled.
"Could you…" she paused, Caitlyn stopping in front of her, next to a long, circular shape that Vi assumed was the stairs. Feeling ridiculous she forced herself to continue. "Could you tell me how many steps there are?"
The silence was brief, but enough to make her tense.
"Sixteen," Caitlyn replied quickly, but there was something in her voice Vi couldn't quite place. It wasn't pity, but it wasn't indifference either. It was as if she was processing the request more carefully than necessary. "The railing is to your right."
Vi nodded slightly and walked forward with more confidence.
She felt it only a second later: Caitlyn moved with her, but not in an invasive way. She didn't take her arm, she didn't try to guide her directly, but her presence remained at her side, close enough that Vi knew that if she stumbled, Caitlyn would be there. For some reason, that made the embarrassment lessen a little.
When she reached the last step, she let out a soft sigh and leaned her weight on the cane for a moment before turning slightly in Caitlyn's direction.
“Any other obstacles I should know about? Any walls to climb perhaps?” she asked in a lighter tone, seeking to ease the tension.
She heard a soft snort.
"I'm afraid not, but I'll try to talk to my architect about getting an obstacle course ready for the next time you come," Caitlyn replied, and although Vi couldn't see her expression, something in her tone made her imagine she was smiling.
Vi smiled. They stood there for a moment, the air between them less thick than before. But the reason Vi was here hadn't disappeared yet.
Caitlyn seemed to remember at the same time, because she stirred with a slight clearing of her throat.
"Come, it's this way."
Vi followed her down the hall, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. Unlike the open space of the gallery, the hallway was narrower, more private. Vi wondered how many times Caitlyn had walked through it, if this place truly belonged to her or if it was just another part of the life her family, Piltover, or society as a whole had shaped for her.
When they arrived, Vi heard the sound of a key turning in the lock before Caitlyn pushed open the door.
"Come in."
Vi crossed the threshold and felt the immediate change. The air here was different: a little warmer, more laden with a faint scent of paper and wood.
"Let me help you," Caitlyn said, her voice sounding a little closer than expected. Before Vi could react, she felt the light touch of the woman hand on her elbow, gently guiding her to a long sofa.
Vi blinked. It wasn't much, but the ease with which Caitlyn did it took her by surprise.
"Thanks," she murmured, taking a seat.
Caitlyn moved quickly, as if she needed to do something with her hands. Vi heard her approach what she assumed was a desk before a soft clicking sound indicated she was pouring something for herself.
“Do you want water, tea…?” Her figure seemed to flutter around the office, waving things in the air. “I have some freshly baked cupcakes if you’re interested.”
Vi smiled sideways.
"Do you have anything stronger?" she joked.
There was a pause, followed by a low laugh.
"Not while I'm working," Caitlyn replied. "But maybe after."
Vi relaxed a little, realizing for the first time in hours that she hadn't eaten anything since morning “A cupcake sounds good.”
The silence that followed wasn’t awkward, but it was expectant. Vi knew Caitlyn was waiting for her to speak, to say what had brought her here in the first place. The woman took a seat beside her, far enough away that it wasn’t awkward, but close enough to make the exchange a little more intimate.
Vi took a breath and rubbed her palms against her thighs, gathering the words in her head.
“As I said before, I came here to apologize.”
Caitlyn shifted slightly, leaning towards her.
"Why?"
Vi exhaled sharply.
"Because of Powder. Because of what she did, because of how she treated you." She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "I don't know if it's any use saying it, but I don't agree with the way she spoke to you. I know it doesn't change anything, but I wanted you to know that."
Caitlyn didn't respond immediately. Vi heard her shift, as if she were crossing her arms or leaning against something.
"And why do it now?" Caitlyn asked, her tone softer than before.
Vi shrugged.
"I didn't get the chance before," she admitted. "And I don't know, I felt like if I didn't say it now, maybe I would never do it."
Caitlyn let out a soft sigh.
"Powder made it very clear that she doesn't want me anywhere near you," she muttered.
Vi frowned.
"Yeah, well, she doesn't always do things the best way," she replied with a hint of weariness. "She thinks she's protecting me, but she doesn't always understand that I don't need her to do it that way."
The silence that followed was different from the previous one. Vi sensed Caitlyn considering her words, evaluating them.
"Well," Caitlyn said finally, "I'm glad you said that."
Vi tilted her head in surprise.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
The answer was simple, but something about it sounded genuine.
Vi let out a small laugh, leaning forward a little in the chair.
"So, you don't hate me?"
Caitlyn snorted.
"Don't be ridiculous," she said, and although her tone was dry, there was something in it that felt almost… warm.
Vi tilted her head slightly, trying to focus on Caitlyn's silhouette.
"Eh, I wouldn't blame you if you did," she continued in a nonchalant tone, though a part of her didn't want to hear an answer that confirmed she'd ruined any chance of making amends. "A lot of people seem to have me on their bad list just for existing, and considering how our first meeting ended, I wouldn't be surprised if you came to think the same."
There was a slight silence before Caitlyn sighed. Vi thought she might have said too much.
"I don't hate you, Vi," she repeated firmly. "I just feeling a little lost… I didn't expect to see you here."
Vi gave a low laugh, leaning back in the sofa.
"Yeah, well, I didn't expect to end up in a fancy art gallery in Piltover either, but here we are," she joked.
Caitlyn laughed at that.
"I don't think I'm capable of hating you," she finally admitted, though her tone still held an edge of reserve. "What Mel said is true, not just anyone would dare to do the same thing you did today. Exposing yourself like that in a city you don't know just to apologize… Besides, it wasn't your fault."
Vi felt the tension in her chest ease a little at those words, but the weight of the conversation didn't entirely disappear.
"Thanks for saying that," she murmured, running a hand over the back of her neck. "But… you still don't seem to want to see me here."
"It's not that," Caitlyn corrected, her voice more controlled. "I just… I still don't comprehend what I did to deserve that level of disdain from your sister. Not just because of the way Powder treated me, but because I still don't understand why."
"What are you talking about?"
Caitlyn crossed her arms and Vi knew she was sizing her up, choosing her words carefully.
"The disdain for my family," she finally explained. "Powder doesn't just hate me. She hates all of us Kirammans… and I don't understand it."
Vi clicked her tongue and looked away at her lap.
"Welcome to the club," she blurted out, her tone a mix of tiredness and frustration. "If anyone should know, it's me. But I don't even know where that resentment comes from."
Caitlyn's gaze fell on her intently.
"Did she never tell you about that?"
Vi let out a huff, leaning back on her thighs.
"No one's told me anything," she confessed, not hiding her irritation. "Powder treats me like I don't need to know, and the rest… Well, it's like it's something that's just assumed, something I should remember on my own. And it's not because I haven't asked before, but they always avoid it or change the subject. I just know that it's something that goes back years… but they've never given me any details."
Caitlyn frowned, analyzing her words.
"Don't you remember anything that could explain it?"
Vi tensed, shifting in her seat.
"Not really. The truth is…" a paused, as if the words were stuck in her throat. "I don't remember many things from my childhood."
The statement hung in the air, heavy and without context, and Vi felt Caitlyn silently studying it.
"Why?" she asked at last, her tone more cautious.
The question was simple. Direct. But answering it was not so easy. Vi rested her elbows on her knees with more force than necessary, shaking her cane in her hands and giving herself a moment of indecision before answering.
"I don't know," she murmured, her voice lower now. "I guess some things just fade away with time."
Caitlyn didn't look convinced and didn't answer right away, but Vi felt her gaze on her.
"Does it have to do with…?"
She didn't finish the question, but Vi knew exactly what she meant.
Her blindness.
Vi exhaled through her nose and turned her head to another point in the office, focusing on the blurry shadows of what she assumed were bookshelves.
"I don't know," she repeated, voice almost a whisper.
Caitlyn didn't press the issue, but the silence between them grew thicker, filled with questions neither of them was ready to answer.
Finally, Vi let out a snort.
"Well," she muttered, "at least I know you don't hate me. That's progress, isn't it?"
Caitlyn let out a soft laugh, one Vi hadn’t heard before, or at least not directed at her. It was lighter, without the burden of resentment that had dominated their conversation at the beginning.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Caitlyn conceded.
Vi drummed her fingers against her thigh, not quite sure what to make of the way Caitlyn was looking at her. Or at least, the way she felt she was looking at her. There was an intensity to the air that made her feel uneasy, like the other woman was analyzing something Vi couldn’t quite figure out.
"And… you know," Vi continued, trying to ease the pressure in her chest. "It wasn't a big deal coming all the way here."
"Yes, it was," Caitlyn corrected immediately, and Vi sensed the change in her tone. There was no hesitation in her voice, as if somehow, this meant more to her than Vi had anticipated.
Vi shifted in her seat, scratching the back of her neck awkwardly.
"Well… I couldn't leave things like that," she confessed.
Caitlyn crossed her legs, leaning forward slightly.
"Why?" she asked, with genuine curiosity.
Vi pursed her lips and shrugged.
“I don’t know,” she muttered. “I guess…” Her words caught in her throat for a moment, and she felt a strange pang in her chest. She wasn’t used to having conversations like this, where she felt exposed without being in a fight. It was easier to just throw in a joke, make a snide comment, and move on. But Caitlyn was watching her, waiting for her, and for some reason, Vi felt the need to be honest.
"I guess I didn't want you to think everyone in Zaun is like Powder," she finished.
Caitlyn blinked, as if the answer had taken her by surprise.
"Vi, I never thought that," she said softly.
Vi felt something in her chest twist uncomfortably.
"Well, anyway..." she cleared her throat and decided it was best to change the subject before the conversation went deeper than he could handle.
It was then, without thinking twice, that the words came out of her mouth.
"You should come to The Last Drop on Wednesday."
There was silence. Vi felt the weight of the pause too late.
Caitlyn frowned slightly.
"What?"
The younger woman cursed internally.
It wasn't that it was a terrible idea. In fact, it probably wasn't the worst way to try and smooth things over between them, but the way she'd said it, like it was the most casual thing in the world, just made heat rise up her neck.
"Every Wednesday night," she continued, trying to sound nonchalant. "There are live performances. People from Zaun and a few from Piltover come on stage, it's… interesting."
Caitlyn cocked her head, studying her.
"And why are you inviting me?"
Vi snorted.
"I don't know, why not?"
But Caitlyn didn't let her go that easily.
"Vi," she said, in that tone of voice of someone who knew there was more to the story. "Do you participate in these performances?"
Vi stood completely still.
Caitlyn was quick to pick up on the reaction.
"You do," she said, and this time she sounded surprised, as if the idea of Vi—the same Vi who spoke with her fists and looked uncomfortable in the gallery—taking the stage was something difficult to imagine.
Vi let out a nervous laugh.
"Maybe."
Caitlyn sat back in her seat, wearing an expression Vi couldn't see, but could clearly imagine.
"Let me get this straight," she said slowly. "You're telling me that the girl who walked into this office wearing a grease-covered Zaun jacket and with her knuckles wrapped in bloody bandages like she fought off a thousand thugs to get here is a musician?"
Vi felt her ears burn, instinctively hiding her hands in the jacket. She didn't even know that the results of her gym session could be seen.
"What’s wrong it?"
Caitlyn shook her head, as if she was still processing it.
"Nothing, I just didn't expect it," she admitted.
"Yeah, well, there's a lot of things you don't expect about me," Vi replied, crossing her arms in mock confidence.
Caitlyn smiled slightly.
"It seems so."
Caitlyn let out a soft laugh through her nose, but her expression instantly turned more serious.
“Vi…” Her tone had changed, not in a distant way, but with a hint of doubt that Vi picked up on immediately. “It’s not that I don’t want to go, but…”
Vi raised an eyebrow.
"But what?"
Caitlyn exhaled sharply, as if trying to gather her thoughts before answering.
"I don't want to cause you any trouble," she said finally. "Powder made it very clear what she thinks of me, and if I show up at a place like The Last Drop, which is your territory, her territory, I don't think I'll be well received."
Vi snorted.
"Powder thinks a lot of things," she said with a shrug. "But that doesn't mean she has the final say on what I do or who I talk to."
Caitlyn looked at her with a mix of skepticism and something else, something Vi couldn't immediately put her finger on.
"Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that it might be a bad idea," Caitlyn insisted. "I don't want it to turn into another… episode."
Vi felt a slight weight on her chest. She knew Caitlyn was right to be worried. Powder had never been good at handling what she considered a threat, and Caitlyn was now at the top of her hit list.
But that didn't mean Vi was going to let her make decisions for her.
"Leave it to me," Vi said with a confidence she hadn't quite planned. "If you decide to go, I'll see that there are no problems."
Caitlyn stared at her, as if trying to see through her words.
"How?"
Vi made a thoughtful face, already forming a plan in her head.
"I'll talk to Vander," she replied. "If anyone can get Powder to let her guard down, it's him."
Caitlyn seemed to consider this for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.
"I don't know why, but I feel like this is a really bad idea," she muttered.
Vi smiled sideways.
"Well, stay in my world long enough and you'll see that most things are bad ideas," she joked. "But that doesn't mean they're not worth a try."
Caitlyn shook her head, but Vi could sense that her resistance had dropped a bit.
“So… are you coming?” Vi asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Caitlyn let the silence stretch for a moment, as if testing her. And then, in a softer tone, she said:
"Yes. I'll go."
Vi didn't know why, but her heart raced a little when she heard that.
"Great," she said quickly, as if it were no big deal.
Caitlyn let out a low laugh.
"Don't get too excited, I still don't know what I'm getting into."
Vi stood up, feeling suddenly with more energy, stretching her arms above her head before turning to Caitlyn with a confident smile.
"Ah, you're going to love it," she assured her, winking.
Caitlyn cocked her head.
"That already sounds suspicious."
Vi shrugged, already thinking on how to close the conversation and take the long, long way home. But before she could say anything, Caitlyn moved as well, jumping on her feet so quickly that Vi had a hard time following with her eyes.
"It's late," Caitlyn said.
Vi turned her face in her direction.
"Yeah, I guess so"
Caitlyn crossed her arms.
"And I wouldn't feel comfortable letting you go to Zaun alone at this hour."
Vi blinked. For a second, she didn't know how to react.
"Are you offering me escort, cupcake?" she asked with a lopsided smile, trying to lighten the moment.
Caitlyn exhaled with a mixture of resignation and patience.
"Don't call me that."
"You could have said no to the escort part, but you didn't," Vi pointed out, trying to hide the sudden lump in her throat with her typical humor.
Caitlyn didn't take the bait.
"I'll come with you, Vi," she said firmly. "Don't make this any harder than it has to be."
The weight of her words settled between them. It wasn’t just Caitlyn’s insistence, or her serious but calm tone. It was the fact that she really meant it, that she was looking for a reason to stay with her a little longer, to make sure Vi was okay.
And Vi… Vi wasn't used to that.
Not unless it came from Powder or Vander.
And definitely not from someone like Caitlyn Kiramman.
Vi lowered her head slightly, running her tongue over her dry lips before answering.
"You really don't have to," she muttered, her tone not quite holding the same confidence as before.
Caitlyn stared at her silently, as if seeing through the facade Vi was trying to maintain.
"I know," she replied simply.
Vi swallowed.
For some reason, that answer made her chest tighten a little. Caitlyn knew she didn't have to do this. But she wanted to anyway.
That thought disturbed her more than she would like to admit.
"Well," she said finally, trying to regain the nonchalance in her voice. "If you insist."
Caitlyn took her jacket with measured movements, as if she didn't want to give too much importance to the moment.
"I insist," she said, without looking up from what she was doing.
Vi exhaled through her nose, feeling a mix of discomfort and… something she wasn't ready to name. They left the office together, walking in a silence that, although loaded with something unsaid, felt less tense than before.
And even if Vi wouldn't admit it out loud, a part of her was grateful that she didn't have to make the journey back alone.