Handling the Drop Ball

Vi lets out a sigh of relief as soon as the Kirammans are far enough away they won’t hear the release of built up pressure.  Silently she follows her coach back into the athletic building so they can discuss the matters at hand in private.  She’s certain Coach S will be annoyed at how little Vi did to convince the ace to transfer to Piltover.  In fact, her demeanor most of their time together had probably driven her away.

“Man, her mother is a controlling bitch.”  It’s an exasperated exclamation.  Parents of new players were always a lot, usually because it was their baby going off to college for the first time.  Cassandra Kiramman, on the other hand, was just a lot in general.  She was the head of one of if not the most important families in all of Piltover.  Her power on the council was well known.  Plus, she held a seat on the board of governors of the university.  The woman had connections and was not afraid to flaunt or use them.

“She acts like I don’t grasp how good her daughter is.  I wouldn’t have delayed leaving for my vacation to recruit her kid if I didn’t know how good she is.”  

Coach S stares at the window of her office.  Tension is visibly present in the way the woman is carrying herself after the meeting.  Vi almost feels guilty because after they migrated their tour to the coffee shop, her meeting with Caitlyn had been quite pleasant.  Apparently it was the opposite for Coach.  

“At least tell me you think you secured the deal.”  Sevika turns to look at Vi after she makes the plea.  

Vi shrugs her shoulders.  No, she hadn’t done the whole dog and pony show that normally is performed to gain the interest of recruits.  However, she gave Kiramman something no one else at any collegiate sport would give her, raw honesty and knowledge.  “I did my best.  Hopefully it’s enough.”

Moments later she’s been dismissed and sent on her merry way home.  It’s well past the time she was supposed to meet Vander and Powder, so a movie is off the table.  Yet, bringing up Alexis leaves her with a feeling of not wanting to be alone all evening.  So. She pulls out her phone and finds her “3 cheeky fellows” group chat.

Plans tonight?

Ekko and Powder should know that means Vi wants to hit up the bar.  Blowing off some steam by throwing back a shot or two might be just what the doctor ordered for Vi to once again lose the ache in her chest she feels.  Yet today, that ache is not as painful as it normally had been.  There was something about opening up to Caitlyn that made it easy to talk about, stuff.  Vi couldn’t explain it.

Ekko is the first to respond.  Only if you’re buying.

Vi rolls her eyes.  Typical that Little Man is trying to bum booze of Vi.  Pretty bold move by the dude dating her sister.

I’ll buy one drink.

Powder chimes in at that point.  Two and we’re in.

The couple must be together Vi determines.  She knows she is outnumbered two to one and there is no way she can pull out the victory in this argument.  She relents and agrees.  Anything to get the duo to party at the bar with her.  The goal for the evening was drink enough to not only forget Alexis was gone, but also forget the way Caitlyn looked at Vi in that coffee shop.

- - - - -

Caitlyn no sooner closes her door and the barrage of questioning from her mother begins.  Cassandra asks about the facilities and campus.  How Caitlyn felt about playing for someone as bold and crass as Sevika.  Finally, she asks about what sort of connection she felt with Vi and how Caitlyn believed that would transfer over to the field.

“She’s smart and knows the game.  You’re not going to find a better catcher anywhere.”  Caitlyn conveniently left out that she could get lost in Vi’s eyes.  

Just when it seemed the ace was going to get a moment of peace, her cell started ringing.  It was only a matter of time before other coaches and journalists began bombarding her with phone calls about her sudden decision to leave Ionia.  The goal was to keep her response as to why she left professional and not let anyone know she couldn’t be around her ex any longer.

“Caitlyn Kiramman,” the voice was loud and commanding.  There was only one woman in all collegiate sports that could boast such a demeanor, Ambessa Medarda.  “I hear you have made yourself available to entertain recruitment speeches from across the collegiate softball spectrum.  I only hope I’m not too late to the party.”

There was something about her voice that made Caitlyn’s skin crawl.  When they’d played in Noxus this past season, Ambessa had made quite the show to garner the attention of the pitcher.  Perhaps the former general now turned military academy softball coach knew a transfer was a possibility in the 

“General Medarda.  Yes, that is true, but I’m afraid I have some bad news.  I’ve already made my first visit, and it offered quite a lot to sway my decision.”

“But still, you’ve yet to determine your destination.  Surely you will entertain the possibility there are other options that will garner enough intrigue for you to consider them as a possibility.”

The woman didn’t believe in retreat.  It was well known throughout the lands that Ambessa was a ruthless general.  Armies had bent to her will simply because they knew it was better to surrender and bend the knee to Noxus instead of suffering at the hands of the merciless general.  After an incident led Ambessa to become gravely injured, it was determined she should retire from active-duty status and teach tactics at the military university in Noxus.  Only after the board agreed to also allow her to coach the softball team did she agree to take the teaching position.    

“Does Noxus have the top collegiate catcher at their disposal?” Caitlyn played her hand.  There was no way she’d ever consider Noxus.  She’d had enough of Noxians for one lifetime.  Also, Noxus didn’t have Vi and that’s really what eased Caitlyn’s mind about the Piltover decision.

Ambessa huffed.  A part of Caitlyn smirked knowing she had shot the general down.  It was quite clear the general was annoyed with Caitlyn’s question.  Even through the phone, Caitlyn could sense the tension. 

“We do not.  However, unlike Piltover, we can offer you another ace to take the pitching load off your shoulders.  Perhaps, save that arm for another World Series win.”

“I assure you my arm health is just fine.”

Another huff.  Caitlyn was irritating Ambessa more and more with each retort she presented.  It was evident the general was hell bent on ensuring her team would enter the fall with a solid roster to compete with Ionia and Piltover.  Unless she found a way to improve their offensive production numbers, there was no way they would compete.  At least, that’s what Vi had told her earlier in the day.

“Are you sure the allure of graduating from a prestigious military institute and immediately being afforded a rank amongst the Noxian army doesn’t intrigue you?  You could serve as a liaison and return to Piltover a stronger woman and leader once your house needs you.”

“As intriguing as that may be, I believe I have been swayed in to choosing Piltover.  I believe I can make another run at the title with the team Coach Sevika has established.  It is also impossible to ignore the fact they led all collegiate softball last year in almost every offensive category.  The only missing piece to get them over that hump is me.”

Silence.  It’s uncomfortable, yet Caitlyn feels victorious.  “Well, it appears you are steadfast in your decision.  I warn you child, one player does not make a team and Ms. Vi Lanes may well be the best catcher in the game, but she is not the entire team.  Best of luck, Caitlyn.”  
The phone goes silent.  Her words were laced with frustration and touch of warning.  It was clear the general did not like being told no.

“What a bitch,” Caitlyn absentmindedly says out loud.  Of course it garners an admonishment from her mother.  Rolling her eyes, the pitcher reaches into the pocket of her jeans and pulls out the napkin Vi handed her before leaving.  Was it too soon to inform Vi her decision had been made long before the visit earlier?  What was so special about this woman that made Caitlyn throw caution to the wind and act like a schoolgirl with a crush?   It had only been 4 months.  Surely this was all in her head.

Vi.  It’s Caitlyn. I’m in.

- - - - -

It was going to be a good night.  Somehow, some way, Vi had convinced the Kiramman girl to come to Piltover.  Apparently, all she needed to convince Caitlyn Piltover was where the ace needed to sign was Vi’s signature charm.  Oh, and to demonstrate she’d never find a catcher in the land that could handle her the way Vi could.  

It was a typical Friday night at The Last Drop.  Vander was busting out drinks for all of the patrons.  The jukebox was humming with some great tunes pre-selected for hours of entertainment.  Powder and Ekko were eyeballing each other up one side and down the other.  They never ventured too far away from each other.  Meanwhile, Vi stood at the corner of the bar and chit chatted with Chuck, or at least Powder said his name was Chuck.

“So, Vander says you all got a big portal pick up today.”

Vi threw her hands up.  “Chuck, I’m going to teach you an early lesson.  No shop talk while we drink.  After hours are for relaxation.”  It was a Vander rule.  Though softball had consumed most of Vi’s life during the day, as soon as the uniform came off and the drinks were poured, the sport didn’t exist and Vi was just Vi.  It helped her unwind and forget all of the pressures of being such a well-known player.  

“Uhh, my name is Thieram and I apologize.  It’s just, I’m super pumped about Kiramman choosing Piltover.”

“So am I.”  Vi froze.  The voice was coming from behind her.  Surely it wasn’t the Piltie ace herself.  Quickly she spun around to see none other than Kiramman herself.  She was dressed in tight blank pants and a navy blue midriff shirt.  Vi had missed the stud that glimmered in her nose.  Unlike this morning, her long, navy hair is hanging down straight.  The site causes Vi to swallow hard.

“Hello, Vi.”  Her voice was soft but had that thick noble Piltover accent.  Vi would be lying if she said the sound of her saying Vi’s name didn’t send butterflies swirling in her stomach. 

“Cupcake.”

Caitlyn rolls her eyes and then leans up against the bar so she can order her drink.  It takes all of Vi’s self-control not to eye every part of Caitlyn’s lower body.  Vander’s sudden presence near her brings Vi back to reality. “What can I get you, love?”

“Ameretto and coke please.”

“Vi, you need a refill?”  She’s unable to speak.  The large bartender and the catcher make eye contact.  Vander smirks and chuckles to himself as he reads Vi’s impure thoughts.  “Another whiskey it is.”

The now teammates stand in awkward silence for a moment.  Vi swirls the remaining amber liquid in her glass around before throwing it back to consume it all in one gulp.  Every cell in her body suddenly feels like it’s on fire.  Nerves kick in and suddenly she becomes a bumbling idiot.

“Uh, so, uh, how’d you end up here?”

Caitlyn lightly giggles to herself.   “I ran into Kira Shunt as I went back to campus in order to get registered and sign some paperwork with coach.  She suggested this bar as a place to celebrate.  I was supposed to meet my friend Jayce here, but as soon as I walked in the door, he informed me his girlfriend surprised him.  Thought since I was already here, I’d grab a quick drink.  As fate worked out, I ran into another familiar face.”  

Her blue eyes glisten as the woman shyly smiles at Vi.  They are two crystal blue oceans that Vi feels like she can’t turn away from.  Why is she staring so much?  Her thoughts start to creep back in, and she realizes she’s acting like an idiot in front of someone she’s only known less than 12 hours.

“Who is that?”

The other woman leans in close enough for Vi to feel Caitlyn’s breath on her neck.  She whispers, “You.”  As her breath blows out of her mouth, it’s then Vi smells the strong stench of liquor on Caitlyn’s breath.  She’s flirting because she’s drunk.  Vi suddenly feels like a fool.

“Kiramman, how much have you already had tonight?”

“Enough to feel better, but not enough to not know what I’m doing.”  Maybe she was actually flirting with Vi.

Vander returns with their drinks and catches Vi’s gaze.  He raises his big bushy eyebrows as to ask who the drop-dead gorgeous woman is that knows Vi, but not him.  It wasn’t like there hadn’t been women trying to get Vi’s attention over the last year.  Plenty of times Vi had been enjoying a drink by herself while Vander worked, and a woman would stop and try to flirt.  The catcher never returned the sentiments though.  

Losing Alexis had nearly killed Vi.  The woman had been the true love of her life.  Lex had been the most supportive partner an athlete could have. No matter how Vi had performed on the field, she knew once she stepped through the doors of her apartment Lex would be waiting to give her a kiss and help her forget about what had happened during the game.  After she died, Vi felt as though there was no way she’d find someone else.

Of course, Vander told her to give herself time.  Eventually she’d find someone to not fill the hole or replace Lex, but to love her again like she deserved.  Vi couldn’t wrap her head around the thought of letting someone else in so intimately again.  The thought of finding another partner and then losing them suffocated her.

“Uh, Cait, this is Vander, my adopted dad.  He owns this fine establishment.  Vander, this is the legendary Caitlyn Kiramman.  The newest addition to the Commodore roster.”  

Caitlyn smiles as the use of the nickname “Cait”.  She reaches out and shakes the large bartender’s hand.  “Pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“Kiramman?” Vander taps his index finger on his chin.  “That name sounds familiar.  Isn’t she the one who locked you up on strike 3 to end the world series two weeks ago, Vi?”  He’s mocking her and he’s loving every minute of it.  Caitlyn laughs while Vi rolls her eyes. 

“I’ll never live that down, will I?”

Vander simply smiles and warmly responds to Caitlyn by saying, “Glad to have you on her team, Cait.”

Powder and Ekko finally return from doing who knows what and join the conversation.  Ekko tries to quiz Caitlyn about her days at Ionia and how she feels about being forced to play with someone as crazy as Vi now.  

“Is everyone going to take shots at me all night?  Besides, I thought the rule was no shop talk at the bar?”

As the group chuckles and comes to a truce, Caitlyn’s phone buzzes to notify her of a text message.  “You’ve got to be bloody joking.”  Her eyebrows furrow into one another and there’s an edge to her voice suddenly.  As quickly as she had ordered her second glass of soda mixed with liquor, she chugs it and slams the glass on the bar.  Vander’s eyes blow wide open at the sight.  

“What’s wrong?”  Vi steps in to investigate.  Obviously, whatever message has just came through is the cause of Caitlyn’s sudden change in demeanor.  

“Maddie Nolen transferred to Noxus.”  Her voice is now low and angry.  Yet, her eyes suddenly seem empty and pained, no longer smiling back at the world.  

“Ionia’s second baseman.  She was your leadoff hitter, switch hitter.  She’s a better contact hitter, but for some fuckin reason she thinks she’s god’s gift to slap hitting.  She’s terrible at it.  That’s why we always pumped pitches on the outside because she could never reach them where she’s so short.”

Once again Caitlyn forgets how analytical Vi is about every player she’s gone up against over the past few seasons. However, this analysis a personal attack that Caitlyn loves.  “You’re ruthless,” Caitlyn huffs out.

“I’m honest.  I’m not going to sugarcoat shit just because she’s a former teammate of yours.  The only reason she was batting leadoff is because IF she got on base, and I mean that is a big IF, she was a first pitch stealer.  She was only caught stealing twice all season.  Both by me.”  Vi has a shit eating grin on her face as she boasts about the accolade.  “Also, she had the worst fielding percentage on your all’s team by far.  Heimerdinger would make a better second baseman than her.”

Caitlyn laughs for a solid 3 minutes.  Vi starts to think the alcohol has taken over too much of Caitlyn’s system and starts to back away to tell Vander to cut her off when Caitlyn grabs her wrist.  

Vi can feel the callouses on Cait’s fingertips.  Years of honing her skill and proper grip on the ball.  Countless hours of practicing to get the perfect spin.  It was an invigorating feeling.

“Sorry.”  Suddenly Caitlyn is sheepish, embarrassed almost.  “It’s just, Nolen is,” she stops, and Vi can see the tears starting to form in the ace’s eyes.  The woman desperately wants to finish the sentence and admit the truth to Vi, but she can’t form the words.

“The ex.”

“Ex fiancé.”  Vi cringes.  Everything makes sense now.  The scorned woman looking to start over.  That’s why Kiramman was transferring.  She’d spent the last season having to play nice with the woman who had shattered her heart into a million little pieces.  It was too much.  So, Cait decided to move on and find somewhere else to spend her last year.  Of course, the day she decides on her new home her ex would announce she too is transferring.

“So, what now?  You going to go back to Ionia?”  

Caitlyn can sense the disappointment in Vi’s words.  It was a possibility.  She was sure Grayson would welcome her back with open arms as if nothing had happened.  After all, she had been totally honest with her coach when she made the announcement.  Yet, as much as the familiarity of playing with her girls again felt comfortable, there was something about the woman standing in front of her that made her want to stay.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were meant to meet. 

Caitlyn reached up and gently placed a finger under Vi’s chin so she could lift the catcher’s gaze away from a drink and to her own eyes.  A wry smile adorned her lips.  “No.  I think I’ve found my new home right here.”