Chapter 6
Chapter VI
Her apartment was completely silent, broken only by the occasional voice of people and car engines passing by, drifting through the windows across the room. In other circumstances, Caitlyn would have taken advantage of the quiet night to rest, perhaps in the company of a good book from the many she had yet to read. But this was not an ordinary night.
Inside her room, Caitlyn found herself in the midst of a self-induced disaster. Her bed was covered in at least five different outfits, the floor was littered with shoes she had changed over and over again without being able to decide which to keep, and in the full-length mirror, her own reflection stared back at her with a frustrated expression.
This is ridiculous.
She ran a hand through her hair, exhaling in irritation. She had never spent so much time choosing what to wear when going out before. Not even when she had galas or important dinners. Normally, Caitlyn had a particular ability, developed over the years, to create outfits in her mind that would easily fit each situation or event she would have to attend. Her mother always told her that the way you dressed was the first step in making the difference between being in control or being controlled.
And Caitlyn rarely gave herself the opportunity to be controlled, she wasn’t a Kiramman for nothing.
However, at that very moment she felt that she had crossed the line of her indecision, one that she had not even realized that existed until now.
She took a step back, forcing herself to look at herself objectively. Her current outfit—a dark, high-necked blouse and a smart blue coat—was perfectly presentable. Zaun was not a high-society event. There were no dress codes, no rules about what she had to wear to look appropriate. And besides, Vi…
Vi might not even be able to see her clothes clearly.
The thought hit her with shame, and she felt heat rising up her neck.
What the hell is wrong with me?
A part of Caitlyn that she'd been trying to ignore the whole time she'd been getting ready knew that this wasn't just about what she was going to wear. It wasn't just about attending a performance by a bunch of strange people, music amateurs no doubt. It wasn't just about the uncertainty of whether Vi was really as good as Caitlyn was hoping she would be.
It was the chance to see her again.
To talk to her again.
Knowing that Vi had been the one who invited her, even if it was a seemingly casual gesture.
And that was what had her like this, restless and without knowing why.
Ever since she saw her in the gallery, Vi's image had been stuck in her mind. Her voice, her seemingly carefree attitude that hid her deep attention to things, the way she moved with natural confidence, even with her limited vision.
Caitlyn crossed her arms and closed her eyes, hugging herself while taking a deep breath. It wasn’t like this was a date. She was just going to The Last Drop to see Vi perform, to understand more about Zaun, to broaden her artistic perspective. To find inspiration.
Yes. That's it.
Nothing more.
A soft knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts.
“Are you still there, cupcake?” Mel’s voice slipped into the room with her typical mocking tone.
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, already anticipating what was to come.
“Don’t call me that”
“Ah, sorry. I forgot that nickname can only be used by a special someone.”
Mel entered without waiting for an invitation, with the natural elegance she always had. She was dressed in an impeccable outfit, as if even for a visit to Zaun she had to look better than everyone in the room without any effort. Caitlyn had spent a lot of time in her teenage years accepting that she could never compare to her friend. Mel was simply on another level. Caitlyn preferred to ignore her so she could focus on her reflection again.
Was that hairstyle okay or should she let her hair down?
“How many times have you changed?” Mel asked with ill-concealed amusement, her gaze wandering over the clothes strewn across the bed.
“It’s not important.”
Mel smiled with satisfaction.
“That means there have been too many.”
Caitlyn glared at her before turning back to the mirror, adjusting the collar of her coat without any real need.
“Is Jayce ready yet?”
“Of course, we wouldn’t be here if that wasn’t the case,” Mel replied, reaching over to pick up one of the discarded jackets on the bed and examining it with feigned interest. “Though he remains convinced that this is a protection mission and not just a night out.”
Caitlyn sighed.
“I can imagine.”
Jayce had been rather skeptical about Caitlyn going to Zaun again, alone this time, even when she made it clear that she could defend herself. His insistence on accompanying her "for safety" was more annoying than reassuring, but in the end, she let him come just to avoid further arguments and to have some moral support for when the inevitable encounter with Vi's sister came to pass.
Mel, on the other hand, had too different reasons for joining.
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” she had said, with an overly mischievous smile.
And now, standing in her room, with Mel watching her as if she already knew what Caitlyn refused to admit, she realized that letting her come was a mistake.
“You look nervous,” Mel commented, leaning against the dresser with a relaxed expression.
“I’m not,” Caitlyn assured. “It’s just your imagination.”
Mel raised an eyebrow.
"Liar."
Caitlyn gave her a sharp look before turning back to the mirror for the last time.
“I just want to make a good impression.”
“Uh-huh.” Mel smiled, clearly entertained. “For who?”
“The people of Zaun,” Caitlyn replied, perhaps a little too quickly. “I don’t want to go there and be seen as an intruder.”
Mel made a thoughtful sound.
“Interesting. You speak of the people of Zaun in general, but,” her smile turned malicious, “you have not mentioned the most important person.”
Caitlyn felt her stomach tighten and heat rise up her neck.
“Don’t start.”
“Your girl from Zaun invited you. Personally. After stumbling across half the city in search of you to apologize, though she had no reason to from what I could gather.” Mel dropped the coat on the bed and crossed her arms. “And now here you are, changing for the what, umpteenth time? with that 'I don't know why I feel this way' expression that says too much already”
“I don’t feel in any particular way. Don’t read things where there aren’t any”
Mel looked at her in mock disbelief.
“Of course. I’m just saying it’s funny that you changed so many times to try to impress a girl who can’t even see clearly what you’re wearing.”
Caitlyn opened her mouth to respond, but she really had no answer for that.
Mel smiled triumphantly.
"Exactly."
Before Caitlyn could protest, Jayce's voice echoed from the hallway.
“Are the ladies ready? I don’t want to be there so late.”
Caitlyn exhaled sharply, trying to refocus. Her heart had given an unexpected lurch that she chose to ignore.
“Yes, give us a second.”
Mel watched her for a second longer, as if she could see through her facade. Then, with a satisfied expression, she walked towards the door.
“This is going to be fun.”
Caitlyn groaned and followed her.
::::
The car rattled down the streets of Zaun as the well-paved roads of Piltover fell behind, giving way to rougher paths. Caitlyn watched through the window in complete silence, letting Jayce and Mel take the lead, feeling the air change: thicker, filled with industrial smoke, oil, and something metallic that seemed to soak into her skin.
The vehicle finally stopped at an inconspicuous spot, where the neon lights of the signs illuminated the street in shades of purple and green. The same spot that Vi had guided Jayce and Caitlyn to the first time they were there.
“Well… here we are,” Jayce commented, turning off the engine. “It seems busier than last time.”
Caitlyn didn't respond immediately, her eyes absorbing what was in front of her. The Last Drop loomed before them, its massive sign shining like a beacon in the chaos. She hadn't had much of a chance to look at it the first time, her attention completely focused on Vi, the young woman taking up all of her attention at that moment and leaving her helpless against anything else.
Now that she had a chance to look around without too many distractions, Caitlyn had to admit that the facade impressed her.
It was different from what she had imagined.
Yes, it had that grungy, untidy feel that was often associated with Zaun, but at the same time, it was clear that it had been renovated and carefully maintained. The metal walls were reinforced, the neon lights pulsed with a bright glow, and the music escaping from within had a deep, electric beat, but not deafening.
But what surprised her most was the number of people.
There were more of them than she had expected, even from Piltover. Some were merchants, others looked like middle-class customers who had come down to Zaun looking for something different. But many others came into the place, talking excitedly and in large groups. This was not a dangerous underground place, as Jayce had first wanted to imply.
It was a business like any other. A well-run business that attracted a large audience.
“I like it,” Mel said with a smile, getting out of the car without waiting for the others.
Caitlyn took a breath and opened the door, feeling the immediate change as she stepped outside. Zaun had, without a doubt, an energy of its own. More powerful and energizing than Piltover could ever offer.
Jayce, on the other hand, looked much less comfortable.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea.”
“Oh, come on,” Mel grabbed his arm before he could complain any further. “You need to relax. Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Maybe I should have put on the other shirt,” the man continued, looking down at his own clothing with a conscious gesture.
Caitlyn smiled slightly and stepped forward, walking to the entrance with more confidence than she actually felt.
Her steps slowed as soon as she crossed the door.
The interior of The Last Drop was even more impressive than the exterior.
The lights were low, tinted with reds and greens. The walls retained their industrial essence with exposed pipes and aged metal, but there were details that elevated the space: a well-polished and clean wooden bar, tables of different styles but none broken or neglected, hand-painted signs in vibrant colors. Caitlyn immediately recognized Powder’s work in the art that decorated the entire place.
It was a place that, although rough, felt alive.
And then she felt it. Rising up her stomach and taking refuge in her chest, an uncomfortable flutter. Anxiety.
Because now that she was here, the reason she had come gained even more weight.
Vi.
Caitlyn looked around the room a couple of times, but couldn't spot her in the crowd of people moving around.
A slight chill of anticipation ran through her skin.
“It feels cozier than I thought it would,” Mel commented, looking around with interest.
“If we ignore the fact that anyone here could try to kill us,” Jayce muttered.
“Don’t be dramatic,” Mel tapped him on the shoulder before turning to Caitlyn. “So, where’s the star of the evening?”
Caitlyn licked her lips, not knowing how to respond.
She didn't have to do it, though.
“If you’re looking for Vi, she hasn’t come out on stage yet.”
Caitlyn turned her head in the direction of the voice, finding herself facing a tall, burly man approaching with heavy but calm steps. He had an imposing bearing, one that demanded respect without the need for words. His well-trimmed and well-groomed beard, along with his relaxed expression gave him an air of natural authority, but not in an intimidating way, rather a pleasant one. Caitlyn got the impression that he was someone with whom you could have an open and unprejudiced conversation. In some ways, he reminded her a bit of her own father.
He watched her with a mix of interest and recognition as he reached her side.
“You must be Caitlyn, right?” His tone was deep, friendly, but with an undertone of assessment.
Caitlyn stood up a little straighter, keeping her posture firm.
"Yes."
The man nodded, flashing a lopsided smile.
“I am Vander, Violet’s adoptive father.”
Caitlyn felt a slight start. She didn't know Vi was adopted.
She decided to save that detail for another occasion when she could ask, focusing again on the man with renewed interest.
Of course, Caitlyn had done her own research before coming back to Zaun, trying to make sure nothing could take her by surprise again. Of course, the surprise had come just as quickly when she discovered that there was only one Vander in all of Zaun. The man, besides being Vi and Powder's father, was practically a legend in the city. A respected figure who many considered the only reason why Zaun had not collapsed into total chaos many years ago, when Caitlyn was still a child who would hide behind her mother's legs at the slightest shock.
And now, here he was, looking at her as if he had been waiting all night for this encounter.
“You don’t seem surprised to see me,” she commented cautiously.
Vander let out a light laugh.
“I’m not. Vi mentioned you were coming,” he said, his appraising gaze shifting to Mel and Jayce with equal interest. “I’m glad to see you came with someone else. The more, the merrier.”
Caitlyn felt something inside her stir at that revelation.
Vi had told Vander that she was coming.
The girl had already assured Caitlyn of that, but having the confirmation face to face made Caitlyn see that this was more real. That Vi really cared about her being able to have a good time without too many worries. That, even though she wasn't physically present, she had made sure that she was welcomed into her world.
The thought left a pleasant feeling in her chest.
Before she could think too much about it, Vander waved his hand, indicating for her to follow him toward the bar.
“Don’t worry, I don’t plan on giving you any trouble,” he assured.
Caitlyn exchanged a glance with Mel and Jayce before walking behind him, the two following closely behind and speaking quietly to each other.
“I’m surprised you would say that,” Caitlyn admitted, leaning against the bar.
Vander looked at her with amusement.
“Did you expect me to kick you out?”
“Your… ah… eldest daughter doesn’t seem to be my biggest fan.”
Vander laughed, his expression filled with equal parts of affection and frustration. “Yeah, Powder can be… intense at times.”
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow.
“That's an understatement.”
Vander just smiled, taking a bottle and pouring something behind the bar with the ease of someone who had been doing this for years. For a man so big and burly, Caitlyn thought he moved with a fluidity and rustic elegance that many in Piltover would envy.
“Powder has her reasons,” Vander said quietly, pouring drinks into three glasses which he then slid across the bar towards them casually. “So do I, if you want complete honesty. But unlike my daughter, I don’t usually throw my hate around for free. At least, not the hatred that should be directed at others.”
Caitlyn was taken aback by those words. Vander's gaze held a gleam she couldn't quite place, but it lacked the hostility she'd expected to see. She wasn't quite sure what to make of that admission, so she took a sip of the drink, grateful for the fruity chill that ran down her throat. She couldn't quite put her finger on what the cocktail was, but it was delicious.
Vander leaned slightly over the bar, resting his forearms on the wood with a relaxed air.
“Vi spoke very highly of you.”
Caitlyn felt a strange knot in her stomach.
“Really?”
Vander watched her for a moment before answering.
“Not in so many words. But the way she did it…” he picked up his own glass and turned it slowly between his fingers. “Let’s just say, she didn’t give me any reason to kick you out right away.”
Caitlyn felt her pulse quicken slightly.
Vander smiled softly, as if he could sense her reaction but choose not comment on it.
“Vi is stubborn as a mule,” he continued, taking a sip of his drink. “Always has been. But if she trusts someone, she does so with all her heart, no strings attached.”
Caitlyn didn't know how to respond right away.
“And… is that something that happens often?” she asked cautiously.
Vander chuckled, as if he found the question amusing.
“No, not at all.”
Caitlyn bit her lip, not exactly sure what to make of that response or where the man was going with all of this. Vander watched her calmly before continuing, seeming to carefully consider his next words.
“Vi has never been the type to let her guard down easily. Especially after everything she’s been through.” His voice deepened, a weight that Caitlyn immediately noticed, her mind racing. “Not just because of her condition,” he added, “but because she learned from a very young age that trusting someone can cost her dearly. Like many things in this city.”
Caitlyn felt a lump in her chest.
“So far she’s been nothing but honest and open with me,” she said quietly, acknowledging out loud something that had been on her mind since she last spoke to the girl.
Vander nodded.
“Yes. And that means I will too.”
It was a simple statement, but the weight of those words made Caitlyn feel something inside her loosen. Vander had no reason to trust her. He had no reason to see her as any different from the rest of Piltover or the rest of her family. But the fact that Vi did meant that, to him, Caitlyn was no longer a stranger.
And that… felt good.
For the first time all day, Caitlyn allowed herself to relax.
Before she could answer, a murmur in the air indicated that the show was about to begin.
“You better find a good spot,” Vander said, tilting his head toward the stage. “Vi will be the last one to perform.”
Caitlyn nodded and walked away from the bar with Mel and Jayce, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, though Mel had a small, satisfied smile on her face.
They settled down at a table with a good view of the stage, where the first artist was already tuning his instrument. The show began with a local band, a mix of electric guitar and synthesizers that filled the bar with vibrant energy. People moved to the rhythm of the music, some singing along to the lyrics, others simply letting the sound envelop them.
A pair of soloists followed, one with a melancholic ballad that made all three grimace in disgust, and another with a faster rhythm that made some attendees get up and dance.
Caitlyn tried to pay as much attention as possible to each presentation, but her mind was elsewhere.
Every time an artist finished; her anxiety grew.
And then, as the lights dimmed and the murmur of the audience died down slightly, the person she had been waiting for appeared on stage.
Caitlyn stood completely still, almost holding her breath.
Vi wasn't alone. Powder escorted her to the center of the stage with firm but careful movements, a hand resting on her back, guiding her naturally. And the first thing Caitlyn noticed was the difference between the Powder she saw now and the one she had known days ago.
The last time she saw the eldest sister, her expression was hard, cold, full of distrust and hostility. But now that she was with Vi, she was a completely different person. Her gestures were gentle, her gaze was attentive, focused, and when Vi murmured something, Powder responded with a genuine smile before adjusting the microphone for her.
She was protective, even in the small gestures. irradiating pure affection. A deep love that Powder professed for her sister, without fear of the whole world seeing it. She sought rather to show it, to have everyone recognize and appreciate it.
Caitlyn felt a strange pang in her chest at the sight, wondering what could have happened to them both for Powder act so shield towards her sister.
But her attention soon returned to Vi, once she was left alone in the stage.
She held a guitar steady, with the same confidence she used to move around with her cane. Her posture was relaxed, sitting on a high chair, but there was something about the way she tilted her head, the way her fingers brushed the strings. She wore a simple red jacket, her hands rolled up to her elbows that gave Caitlyn a direct view of the tattoos that ran along a long stretch of her skin until they disappeared beneath her clothes, an intricate design on each arm that stood out in the stage light.
Caitlyn felt her own breathing become deeper at the sight.
The entire bar seemed to hold its breath when Vi struck the first chord. It wasn’t just the natural anticipation of a new performance. There was something different about the way everyone fell silent, as if they already knew what was coming and had been waiting for that very moment.
Caitlyn sensed it before she understood it. She wasn't prepared for what came next.
The first note glided through the air with heartbreaking smoothness. Vi’s guitar sounded deep, warm, almost intimate, as if each string was vibrating with something more than just technique. Telling a story that needed no words.
But it was her voice that really hit Caitlyn.
It was loud and clear, raspy in all the right places, but at the same time, filled with such raw emotion that it made Caitlyn's skin crawl. She wasn't overdressed, or trying to impress with flourishes. She was real.
"You raised the lights when it was frightening..."
Vi sang with an honesty that hurt, each word spoken with the weight of someone who really understood what she was saying. She wasn't perfect in a technical sense, but she was honest.
Beautiful.
Caitlyn felt a chill run down her spine.
The entire bar disappeared. The noise of conversation ceased, the sound of glasses clinking against tables became a distant echo. There was nothing but Vi and her voice. For Caitlyn, it was as if the air was trapped in her chest, a warm pressure that wouldn't leave.
"Calm the storm when it was rising..."
It was simple the best voice she had ever heard.
Vi didn't sing like the other performers that night. She wasn't trying to impress; she wasn't trying to fill the space with unnecessary force. She sang as if the words belonged to her. As if each line had been ripped straight from within her very soul. Caitlyn had seen other musicians, talented people with different styles, but this was something else.
Vi didn't just sing. She told something more personal. And Caitlyn felt, with a certainty that terrified her, that this story was real.
She couldn’t help but wonder who she was singing to. If it was about someone, if it was about herself, if it was about something she’d lost. Vi’s eyes were closed, but her face was relaxed, devoid of the lines of tension that seemed to follow her every step, as if music was the only place she could be completely herself.
In that moment Caitlyn could really appreciate how young Vi was, how innocent she looked even with her tattoos and scars that covered her body.
No one spoke. No one interrupted. The noise of conversation faded away as if the entire bar had become trapped in the same feeling Caitlyn had: a magnetism that was impossible to ignore.
Vi's voice caught them all in an invisible lasso. Dragging them to a place they couldn't escape.
"I won't leave you as you are..."
There was a sweetness in the way she said it, a silent promise, a tenderness that felt almost intimate. Like she was singing just for her. Caitlyn felt it deep inside her.
But she knew it wasn't true.
She knew Vi couldn't see her. She knew the song wasn't about her. But in that moment, none of that mattered.
It was just Vi.
Just her voice.
Only the sound of her fingers on the guitar, of her breathing between verses, of the naked truth in each word.
“By the gods…” Mel whispered beside her, in a mix of wonder and delight.
Caitlyn blinked, as if Mel voice had momentarily brought her back to reality.
“I didn’t expect it to be so…” Mel paused, searching for words. “I don’t know how to describe it.”
Jayce nodded slightly, which was unusual for him.
“You can tell she’s not imitating anyone,” he murmured. “It’s quite…”
“Natural,” Mel finished, not taking her eyes off Vi, with a renew interest and calculating gaze.
Caitlyn didn't say anything.
Because she knew that if she tried to speak, her voice would break.
Because her entire being was caught up in the woman on the stage. It was stupid. It was silly. But in that instant, the attraction she had felt before became something denser, more tangible, more inevitable.
She needed to know more.
Needed to find out what other hidden talents Vi had. And more than anything, she needed to understand how someone could have Caitlyn entire world, her entire existence, boiled down to a single song.
Vi's fingers moved over the guitar strings deftly, subtly changing to another tune. A different song that kept everyone in their seats. Vi smiled a little this time as she sang, the song a little more cheerful, as if she was remembering something that made her happy.
Caitlyn wanted to know more than anything what it was about.
Finally, the last chord faded into the air like the echo of a whisper.
For a moment, silence reigned in The Last Drop, as if the entire audience needed a second to process what they had just witnessed. And then, everyone erupted. The applause was immediate, intense, so loud it made the walls of the bar vibrate. A few people rose from their seats, whistling, banging their glasses against the tables, requesting another song. Vi, still sitting with the guitar on her lap, seemed to shrink a little from the onslaught of attention, her half-closed eyes darting aimlessly around the room.
“Thank you, really… this is… thank you,” she murmured, her voice almost drowned out by the din.
Disorder broke out in a matter of seconds. People moving around, some calling out to Vi, others approaching the bar to order more drinks or something to eat, indistinct conversations that resumed their course now that the show was over.
And then, in the midst of all that chaos, Caitlyn saw her.
Across the bar, past the moving bodies and flickering lights, Powder was watching her.
The visual impact was immediate, a dry impact in the stomach.
Powder was several feet away, sitting in a less crowded area of the bar. Her deep blue eyes focused on her with a mix of surprise and anger, a restrained reaction that lasted barely a second.
Then the surprise was gone, replaced by something much darker.
Caitlyn felt her body tense, drawing Mel's attention who worriedly asked her what was wrong. But the woman couldn't find the right words at that moment, her mind racing as she tried to think of what to do. A confrontation was imminent.
Powder began to move before Caitlyn could make a coherent decision.
The blue-haired girl did not come alone.
At her side, Caitlyn managed to recognize Ekko. The man's white hair seemed to shine under the lights of the bar. Ekko tried to talk to Powder as he walked, his brow furrowed in a mix of concern and something else Caitlyn couldn't quite put her finger on. His movements betraying indecision about what to do.
But Powder ignored him completely. They were getting closer and closer, so Caitlyn could make out what they were saying.
“Pow, please think a little,” Ekko tried, putting a hand on her arm, but she shook it off roughly.
“Don’t even think about stopping me.”
Her tone was low, but cutting.
Caitlyn felt her heart pound in her throat as Powder crossed the distance between them in just a few seconds.
“You have some nerve coming, Kiramman” she said with a tight smile, almost spitting her last name. “And here I thought I made myself clear the last time we spoke.”
Caitlyn maintained her composure, though every fiber of her being was on alert.
“Good evening, Powder.”
Powder's eyes flashed with suppressed fury.
Ekko managed to reach her side and sighed heavily, running a hand over his forehead.
“Are we really going to do this now?”
Powder didn't even look at him.
“You already knew I didn’t want to see her here,” she said harshly.
Ekko pursed his lips.
“Vi told me that she invited her.”
Powder's expression twitched, preparing an aggressive response, but Caitlyn didn't back down.
“I’m not here to cause you trouble.” She said.
Powder let out a sarcastic laugh.
“Ah, no?” she tilted her head mockingly. “Because from my point of view, your entire existence is already a damn problem.”
The tension was thick, sticky, like smoke hanging in the air. Several people were beginning to notice the confrontation.
“What part of I don’t want you in Zaun did you not understand, cutie?”
Caitlyn felt her hands clench into fists.
“I didn’t come looking for you, Powder. There’s no need to turn this into a conflict.”
“No, of course not.” Powder took a step closer, her eyes sharp as blades “You came for Vi.”
Caitlyn didn't respond. Powder studied her intently, as if trying to find the exact crack in her facade.
“What the hell do you want from her, huh? Or do just you enjoy butting in where you’re not called?”
Ekko tried to intervene again.
“Pow, that's enough.”
“No, is not,” Powder said, not taking her eyes off Caitlyn. “I warned you, Kiramman. I told you very clear that I never wanted to see you near my sister again.”
Caitlyn felt her own anger rise in her chest.
Not out of fear.
Not because she feels cornered.
But because Powder talked about Vi as if she had no right to decide for herself.
But before she could answer, a deep voice broke through between them.
“That’s not for you to decide.”
Powder spun around with an angry snarl.
Vander approached from the bar with firm steps, his presence imposing itself on the scene effortlessly. The people who had stopped to watch what was happening immediately stepped aside to let Vander pass, some looking away, feigning ignorance.
Powder frowned.
"Don’t tell me you are really okay with this?"
Vander walked up to them and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Your sister invited her. And if it didn’t seem like a problem to her, it shouldn’t be to you.”
Powder clenched her jaw, her gaze returning to Caitlyn. Her expression no longer held surprise, or mockery, or even uncontrolled rage. It was colder. More intense.
It was hate.
But it was not an impulsive hatred, the kind that exploded in shouts or blows. It was the hatred of someone who had been accumulating resentment for years and who, seeing before her the image of that which she despised, could not contain it.
Caitlyn held her gaze without blinking.
She knew that any show of hesitation or weakness would cause Powder to tear her apart in seconds.
“Vi trusts the wrong people too much,” Powder spat.
Vander let out a heavy sigh.
“Powder…”
“No,” Powder cut him off sharply, her jaw set. “I’m not going to stand by while Vi… while she allows this…” her gaze sharpened further as she refocused on Caitlyn, “thing in her life.”
Caitlyn felt another stab of anger in her chest.
Mel took that moment to intervene.
“How interesting,” she said with a sharp smile. “I guess the definition of wrong people varies depending on who says it.”
Powder turned her head towards Mel, as if she had just noticed her.
“Do you have something to say, princess?” she asked with disdain.
Mel tilted her head slightly.
“Yes, indeed.” She crossed her arms, her eyebrows arched in defiance. “We’ve been here for quite some time now, and unlike what you might have led me to believe, no one has the necessity to kicked us out. And the most curious thing of all is that your own sister is the reason we’re so comfortable here. Or at least we were until you decided to ingratiate us with your loving presence.”
Powder's eyes seemed to sparkle under the neon lights.
Caitlyn felt a strange gratitude towards Mel, but she also knew that her words would only further inflame Powder's anger.
The woman in question turned back to Caitlyn, her posture stiff, her breathing a little heavier.
“You don’t understand anything, do you?” she muttered.
“I understand more than you think,” Caitlyn replied firmly.
“Oh, yeah?” Powder let out a humorless laugh. “So, tell me, what the hell are you doing here? After I told you clearly not to”
Caitlyn straightened her shoulders.
“Vi invited me.” she repeated the same thing as the others, reaffirming her place.
Powder gritted her teeth.
“Well, I think we’ve already established that Vi doesn’t know what’s good for her.”
The statement was harsh, like a sharp blow to the chest.
Vander exhaled abruptly. He looked at Powder steadily, any trace of kindness Caitlyn had seen before fading from his face, giving way to the authoritarian man sleeping within.
“Powder, listen to yourself. It’s not right. Since when do you have the right to decide what Vi wants or not?”
“Since I was the one who had to protect her entire damn life” she spat, her voice raising a little more.
Vander did not respond immediately, his face darkened by a feeling very close to indignation and rage.
“I know you think you're protecting her…”
“I don’t believe it, I know it.”
“But sometimes,” Vander continued, ignoring the interruption, “protecting someone also means letting them decide for themselves.”
The tension in the air grew thick, as thick as the smoke hanging in the bar.
Powder took a step closer to Caitlyn, her eyes flashing with a suppressed anger that was barely holding on to the invisible leash that kept her at bay.
“I don’t want you here,” she whispered.
But Caitlyn, for the first time in the entire conversation, smiled. Not mockingly. Not condescendingly.
But with an unshakable certainty.
“I don’t care.” She said, and Powder’s eyes narrowed at her words. “As long as Vi wants me here, I have no reason to leave.”
The silence between them was deafening. A battle in itself.
The bar was still filled with noise, voices, laughter and conversations about the show, but between them there was only a suffocating pressure.
Powder trembled. Ekko grabbed her shoulder, his eyes darting from Powder to Caitlyn quickly, his expression twisted in a mix of worry and annoyance. He seemed torn between his desire to support Powder and his own opinion of the way the woman was handling the situation.
And Caitlyn, although she maintained her firm stance, knew that it would not end there.
But before anyone could speak, Vander cut the tension with a colder tone than usual, standing in front of Powder.
"Enough" His voice was not raised too much, but it carried the authority of someone who was not asking, but demanding.
Powder clenched her jaw, but didn't look at him.
“Powder,” Vander continued, his expression hardening. “I don’t want any conflict here.”
“Me neither,” she replied through gritted teeth. “But then why is she still here?”
“Ask your sister that.”
Powder closed her eyes for a second, as if trying to contain herself.
Vander sighed more heavily.
“Do you know what will happen if you continue with this?” he said, his voice low but sharp. “Vi will find out. And we both know you don’t want to confront her about something that can easily be resolved without further conflict. Do you really want to protect her? Then spare her the trouble she doesn’t need”
Powder looked like a bomb about to go off. Caitlyn saw the conflict in her eyes. The last thing Powder wanted was to ruin Vi's night. But at the same time, her hatred was stronger than she could control.
For a moment, she seemed to debate whether to attack again or hold back. The fight was written in her stance, in the way her fingers twitched, in the tension of her breathing.
And then, with a sharp exhale, she took a step back.
“This isn’t over,” she said, her voice barely a venomous murmur.
Caitlyn didn't look away, Mel and Vander seemed to want to say something else in return.
But before anyone could say anything, Vi appeared.
Her silhouette was shiny beacon in the crowd as she approached, her guitar slung over her back inside a case that had seen better days. And she wasn't alone. A tall, chubby, kind-faced boy helped her along with a firm hand on her shoulder, while he pushed people around so Vi could move better.
The way the boy looked around at everyone seemed to be trying to gauge whether or not it was a good idea to approach. Vander nodded slightly as their gazes met.
It didn't even take Powder a second to recover.
Her expression changed quickly, the hatred and tension disappearing from her face in an instant. But not completely. By the time Vi had finished approaching, guided by the mysterious boy, Powder already had a smile on her lips, but her eyes still reflected the conflict that consumed her.
“Hey sis,” her voice sounded light, almost carefree, “you did amazing, as always.”
Vi tilted her head slightly, her expression relaxed, but with a slight frown on her brow.
"Yeah?"
“Of course.” Powder gently punched her on the arm. “Did you hear how they cheered you? It was like they were praying to a goddess.”
Vi let out a low laugh, adjusting the guitar strap on her back.
“Don’t exaggerate.”
“I’m not” Powder smiled wider, gently pushing her towards the bar “Come here, I’ll get you something to drink before you die of thirst. Are you hungry?”
The interaction seemed normal. To anyone who didn’t know her, Powder was acting as cheerful as ever. But Caitlyn could see right through it. The stiffness in her movements. The way her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. The effort it took for her not to turn around and continue the fight.
Vi didn't seem to notice it at all. Or rather, she did notice it, but didn't understand it. The way she tilted her head toward Powder with pursed lips indicated that she had detected something.
“Are you okay?” she asked in a curious tone.
Powder laughed immediately. Loud and forced.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’re acting strange.”
“I’m just glad you didn’t ruin the night with a disaster on stage.”
Vi scoffed.
“Thank you for your trust.”
Powder ruffled her hair with a laugh, as if the previous confrontation had never happened. But Caitlyn saw the tension in her fingers as she pulled them away. Powder didn't want Vi to notice her anger. At least, not now.
Before the situation could escalate, Vander intervened.
“Vi”
She turned her head in his direction.
“Hmm?”
“You have visitors.”
Vi frowned, clearly confused.
“Visits?”
Vander smiled calmly; his expression more relaxed than it had been a few minutes ago.
“Someone special came to see you”
Powder looked away to the side, her hands clenched into fists.
Vi, for her part, took a couple of seconds to process the meaning of that sentence. Then, with a slight movement of her head, she seemed to focus better on her surroundings, frowning even deeper.
It wasn't until her gaze casually fell in Caitlyn's direction that her expression changed. Her posture straightened subtly, as if she had received a mild shock of surprise. Caitlyn clearly saw the exact moment Vi recognized her.
And it was… strangely beautiful.
The surprise on her face was genuine, but what really caught her was the sincere emotion that followed afterwards.
Vi didn’t smile right away. But you could feel it in her expression. In the way her lips trembled for just a second before curling into a small frown, in the slight tilt of her head, in how she seemed to be torn between wanting to say something or just sit there, taking it in.
“Is that you, cupcake?” she murmured.
Caitlyn felt something warm run down her chest.
“Hello, Vi.”
Vi lowered her head slightly, letting out a low, almost incredulous laugh.
“So, you actually came.”
Caitlyn tried not to show how much the tone of her voice affected her.
That tone.
The one that wasn't filled with the defiant confidence Vi usually used, nor the indifference with which she had tried to handle her interactions in the gallery.
It was a more… intimate. Closer and sincere.
Caitlyn wasn't sure what to answer.
Because really, what could she say?
She couldn't tell her that she'd spent the entire night with her stomach in knots from nerves. She couldn't tell her that her voice had destroyed Caitlyn in the best possible way with every line that fell from her lips. She couldn't tell her that her presence made her feel like she was the only person in the room.
So, she simply said:
“I promised I would, and I’m glad I did.”
Vi didn't say anything right away. But her smile grew just a little bit wider.
From the side, Mel raised an eyebrow in amusement.
“By the Gods…” she whispered, so low that only Jayce could hear her.
The man ran a hand over his face with a sigh.
“Don’t say it.”
“I don’t even have to say it. It’s too obvious.”
Caitlyn ignored them. Or at least, she tried to.
Because right now, her entire world was wrapped around Vi, the way she smiled at her and Caitlyn couldn't stop staring.
It didn't matter how hard she tried. It didn't matter that she was aware of every little gesture she made, the way her chest rose and fell with her bated breath, or how her hands fidgeted, searching for something to do. None of it mattered, because Vi was smiling at her.
And Caitlyn felt that if she looked too long, her body would betray everything she was trying to hide.
Powder seemed to noticed it too.
From where she stood, slightly apart from the group, her expression was impossible to read. But her eyes… Her eyes said more than her face was trying to hide.
Vi was different.
Powder noticed that she was relaxed, more open, with a softness in her gestures that he hadn't seen in her for a long time. Since before everything changed for the worse.
And the worst thing was that she could see the reason of that change. She could see it as clear as water.
That fucking Kiramman girl.
It was that stupid rich girl from Piltover, with her impeccable posture and the tense expression of someone trying too hard to maintain composure. It was Caitlyn the reason of her sister’s change. For some strange reason Powder couldn't understand, didn’t want to, Vi wanted that girl there. When had this happened? How had she not noticed?
Powder gritted her teeth. A cold weight settled on her chest, something like fear, something she didn't want to acknowledge as vulnerability.
She felt a slight pressure on her arm and turned her face slightly. Ekko was at her side. He didn't say anything, but his gaze was enough.
Soften up. Breathe. Vi needs you in a different way now.
Powder closed her eyes for a second and exhaled slowly. She wouldn't make a scene. Not just yet. She pulled away abruptly, leaving the bar for now with quick steps, followed closely by Ekko.
From the table next to Caitlyn, Mel decided the moment was enough and smiled mischievously.
“Well,” she exclaimed with false nonchalance, “this has been lovely, but I think it’s our turn to do something interesting.”
Jayce glanced at her.
“Us? Do something interesting in Zaun?”
“Of course,” Mel replied with absolute confidence. “We can start at that table over there, where they are serving what appears to be the strongest drink in the bar.”
Jayce frowned, clearly unconvinced.
“I'm not sure that's a good idea—“
“I didn’t ask you.”
Mel dragged him along effortlessly, casting a meaningful glance at Caitlyn before disappearing into the crowd.
She was giving them space.
Caitlyn swallowed.
Now she was finally alone with Vi, who seemed to notice the sudden absence of the others and tilted her head with a light smile.
“Did your friends leave you behind?”
Caitlyn let out a soft snort, crossing her arms.
“Let’s just say Mel has an agenda of her own.”
Vi let out low laugh.
“That sounds dangerous.”
“Trust me, it is.”
The conversation fell into a brief silence, but it wasn't awkward. It was… something else. Something full of meaning, something they couldn't yet name.
Vi ran an absent hand along the strap of her guitar, as if making sure it was still there, before slightly inclining her head in Caitlyn's direction.
“So… what did you think?”
Caitlyn blinked.
"About what?"
Vi smiled, and although Caitlyn knew she couldn't see her expression, she seemed amused by her bewilderment.
“The show. That’s what you came here for, right?”
Caitlyn opened her mouth, but no words came out immediately.
How was she supposed to describe what she had felt?
She certainly couldn't tell her that she had been left breathless from the first chord. She couldn't tell her that her voice had made the rest of the bar, the whole world, disappear. She couldn't tell her that her voice was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard.
So, instead, she told the simpler truth.
“It was… amazing.”
Vi lowered her head slightly, a low laugh escaping her lips.
“You don’t have to say that out of obligation.”
“I don’t.”
The seriousness in Caitlyn's voice took Vi by surprise. She raised her face slightly, as if trying to capture the sincerity in the other woman’s tone.
“I’m serious,” Caitlyn continued, taking a step closer without realizing it. “You have something special, Vi. It’s not just your voice; it’s the way you sing. It’s… real.”
Vi remained silent.
Then, with a subtle gesture, she turned her face to one side, as if she didn't know what to do with those words.
“I don’t think that it’s that good” she muttered.
Caitlyn smiled slightly.
"It is."
Vi seemed to debate whether or not to answer, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her jacket, an unconscious gesture Caitlyn couldn’t help but notice. It was odd. Vi usually exuded confidence, even when she was joking or avoiding certain topics. But right now, she seemed… nervous.
Caitlyn felt her heart beat a little faster.
The background music in the bar had changed, now just a distant murmur, as if the entire universe had decided that this moment needed no distractions.
And then, Vi spoke again.
“Will you stay a little longer?”
The question caught her off guard.
Vi didn't say it casually. It wasn't a simple "are you still here?" or "are you in a hurry?" It was a real question.
A request.
Caitlyn felt an unexpected warmth rise in her chest.
“Yes,” she replied, without thinking too much.
Vi smiled sideways.
"Great"
Time ceased to exist.
Caitlyn knew it when she noticed the music had changed at least a dozen times, when the lights in the bar began to dim almost imperceptibly, and when, finally, the hubbub of The Last Drop died down to a sparse murmur.
But none of that mattered.
Because they were both completely immersed in their own world.
The conversation between them flowed with an unexpected ease. There were no awkward moments or forced silences. It was easy. Too easy. Caitlyn didn't know what she expected to find when she decided to stay. Maybe she imagined Vi would be relaxed, that she would say little, that she would respond with monosyllables or vague comments as she had done on other occasions.
But she was wrong.
Vi was… witty. Stimulating.
There was a spark in her speech, an energy in her gestures, a veiled enthusiasm in her tone that contrasted with the image of the carefree girl who seemed to take nothing seriously.
And she was smart. Ridiculously smart, Caitlyn thought.
Her thoughts were quick, her opinions firm, and even though she tried to disguise it with jokes or with that casual tone she used for everything, it was clear that there was much more behind her.
And Caitlyn wanted to find out everything.
They talked about everything. About music, about Zaun, about how the city seemed to change and yet remain static, clinging to its own ideals. Vi told her about the streets, about the hidden places where artists fearlessly left their mark, about the corners where incredible things were created without anyone in Piltover knowing.
Caitlyn absorbed every word with the same eagerness of a lost person who has discovered water after days, weeks, years in an inhospitable desert. Her mind was racing, thinking of endless possibilities.
Vi asked her own questions too. Not in the way others did, in that polite but distant tone. Vi asked because she genuinely wanted to know, understand, and learn from Caitlyn.
And Caitlyn found herself telling her about her childhood, about how her mother had pushed her down a path that had never really been hers, about how art had been her only escape until, one day, it wasn't. She found herself confessing things she'd never dared to express. Fears from her heart, deep desires from her soul.
Vi never judged her at any point. Her eyes, lingering on her, seemed to observe things that no one else could see. At one point, she just nodded, smiling delicately, and said:
“Maybe you just have to give yourself the chance to see beyond everything else. Don’t think about it, live it. True art isn’t always in a gallery.”
And Caitlyn fell silent, because for the first time in a long time, she felt like those words made sense.
They did not move from their spot.
They didn't notice when most of the audience started to leave.
They didn't notice when the lights dimmed even further, or when Vander began to clean the bar with the slowness of someone waiting for something.
They didn't notice it until a voice interrupted the moment.
“Vi.”
Vi turned her head immediately, her head tilted in that peculiar gesture she always had when she didn't know exactly where to look.
Powder was there.
Her expression was impenetrable, her posture seemed relaxed, but Caitlyn felt the tension in her body immediately.
Powder didn't look at her even once.
“It’s time to close up, sis,” she said, in a perfectly neutral tone. “Let’s go.”
Vi frowned.
“Is it that late?”
Vander, still behind the bar, set a glass down with a subtle tap.
“Enough to get everyone out,” the man said, his voice carrying throughout the bar with ease. “But it’s okay, don’t worry about it. You can stay more if you want”
Powder shoot him an annoyed look, a look that the chubby boy from before, Claggor has said Vi, snickered with.
Vi ran a hand over the back of her neck, clearly surprised.
“Damn… I didn’t realize.”
Caitlyn felt a strange warmth in her chest at the implication, smiling. Further away, she noticed Mel sitting regally on a table, watching them without any dissimulation while trying to keep Jayce awake, who seemed to have drunk more than his body could handle.
Powder crossed her arms, waiting.
She didn't rush Vi, but she didn't give her space either.
Powder didn't make a scene, didn't make any scathing comments, she didn't shoot any hateful glares like she had before. It was clear she was trying to behave. But her stiffness, the way her jaw clenched slightly, the fact that she still didn't look in Caitlyn's direction even once…
All that spoke for itself.
Vi stood up then, stretching her shoulders slightly with her cane in hand, before turning to Caitlyn.
“Sorry, cupcake. I think my time is up.”
Caitlyn smiled in understanding, although a part of her didn't want the night to end.
“It seems so.”
Vi didn't move immediately.
For a second, she seemed to want to say something more.
But then Powder made a small move, taking Vi's guitar and slinging it over her back. A subtle reminder that she was there, waiting.
And Vi, although relaxed, understood the signal.
“See you later, Cait,” she murmured softly.
Caitlyn felt her heart skip a beat.
No Cupcake, no Caitlyn.
Cait.
“See you, Vi,” she replied, her voice a little lower than normal.
Vi smiled before turning to the door, where Ekko was waiting for both sisters. Powder, without a word, without a glance in her direction, simply followed her.
Caitlyn watched them leave.
And when the door to The Last Drop slammed shut, she knew something inside her had just changed forever.