Handling the Drop Ball

Light piano music hangs in the air as Caitlyn makes her way to the bar. Her mother had demanded she make an appearance at the Kiramman Christmas ball whether she had wanted to or not. So, she figured if she was going to be forced to be there, she was at least going to get extremely drunk and make a scene.

Vi had offered to accompany her, but the thought of Cassandra having such easy access to Vi made Caitlyn nervous.  The ace would rather come and suffer alone than risk a repeat of her going away party.   

She’s truly not alone though.  As she waits for the bartender to finish mixing her usual cocktail, she feels a hand wrap around her waist.  Ready to attack as a reaction to the unexpected touch, she whips her whole body around to see Jayce.

“Jayce!” She lunges forward to hug the man.  Her enthusiasm is fully related to the fact that she knows at least now someone will be there to ensure she’s not alone all evening.

“Sprout. Thought I might find you at the bar.”  He pulls away and turns, pulling Mel forward.

“Mel!  How nice it is to see you!”

The Noxian smiles.  Caitlyn has always admired her beauty, both inside and out.  Unlike many of the other Noxians she has come in contact with, Mel has always been the poster of sophistication and generosity.  Her lack of interest in military tactics had always piqued Caitlyn’s interest.  It was completely opposite from Ambessa, Mel’s mother.   

What Mel did have, though, was an interest in politics.  Many conversations the Medarda heir and the Kiramman heir had shared revolved around political subjects and future plans Mel had.  Caitlyn can’t help but remember particular instances from her time with Maddie.  They’d found a kindred political spirit as well that was only heightened by their shared heritage; or at least partial heritage.

“Caitlyn.  So good to see you.  I apologize I didn’t get to speak after our game a few weeks ago.  We were instructed to leave the field immediately to avoid any further conflict.” Mel smirks as the words leave her mouth.

The ace can’t help but chuckle thinking of Vi and her smart comment that had been awarded with a blow to the head.  “Quite alright.  We had the same instructions.  Plus I immediately had a meeting with my catcher and Coach Sevika post game.”

“Really, Sprout?  Not even going to say her name.  Like all of Runeterra doesn’t know what’s going on.   Or like I don’t know what said catcher said to Nolen.”

Caitlyn blushes and looks toward a crowd of people standing on the opposite side of the room.  A large, towering woman stands with her back to Caitlyn and she can’t help but frown.  Ambessa.  What’s worse, Caitlyn notices the shorter woman standing at her side as though she were a security guard.

“Maddie.”  She doesn’t mean to say it out loud, but it’s too late.  Both Jayce and Mel turn their heads.  Caitlyn sees the look of pity that comes to both of them.

“Your mother invited my mother and of course she couldn’t miss an opportunity to rub elbows with the political elite.  Maddie was invited to act as her assistant for the trip.  I should have called and warned you, but wasn’t made aware she was coming until our departure.”

Caitlyn lifts her hand, “It’s alright.  I’ll just do my best to avoid her.”   Suddenly she regrets not inviting Vi.

Finally, the bartender returns with her drink.  She gives an excuse about having to retrieve a new bottle of a amaretto.  Caitlyn turns, motioning for the couple to follow her further away from the political caucus occurring across the room.

It’s not far enough.

Caitlyn’s facing Jayce and Mel with her back to the crowd.   The two pitchers discuss their thoughts on the upcoming season.  Mel is genuinely impressed with how the Commodores played against Noxus and lets Caitlyn know she truly believes they have a powerful and talented enough roster to win it all.  Caitlyn, on the other hand, apologizes for the antics that occurred at their game. Mel simply responds, “Vi was taking care of business and letting everyone know you are off limits.”   

Before she responds, she hears, “Hello, Caitlyn.”

Her eyes snap shut, desperately praying this is all some nightmare and she will wake up.   She feels the warmth beside her as the presence moves to stand next to her.   It’s been nearly a year since she’d discovered the affair upon returning from home after the holiday break.  Yet she still felt disgusted being this close to her.

“Hello, Maddie.”  Caitlyn and Jayce lock eyes, the woman pleading for him to stay.  His grip on Mel’s waist gets tighter as does his jaw.  A nod reassures Caitlyn that it will all be okay.  Vi may not be there, but she still has someone in her corner.

“I hope things are well for you.”  Maddie sounds almost, wounded.  She doesn’t want to look, but Caitlyn turns to face the shorter woman.  A soft smile is presented as an offering.  Caitlyn can’t help but roll her eyes.

“They’re lovely.”  Her response is curt.

The shorter woman clears her throat, obviously uncomfortable.  “Cait, may I have a word, alone.”

“Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Jayce and Mel.”  She turns just in time to watch the look of hurt that pangs Maddie’s face.   It causes a smile to tug at Caitlyn’s lips.

Again, clearing her throat, Maddie speaks again.  “I wanted to apologize for my actions when we played.  My antagonistic behavior.   It was out of line.   I never meant to do anything to hurt you.”

“Oh really?” The anger starts to boil up inside Caitlyn when Maddie tags on the last sentence.  Jayce tries to use his smile to recenter Caitlyn, but even he knows it’s too late.  “You never meant to hurt me.”

Maddie recoils and prepares for the verbal barrage that is about to hit her.  “Cait…”

“No, you want to do this here and now, then by all means.  Let’s do this.”  Caitlyn turns her whole body to face the shorter woman.  She has never been so happy that her stature towers over her ex-fiancée.  Maddie may have some muscular bulk, but it’s nothing compared to Caitlyn…or Vi.

“You don’t get to apologize.  You don’t get to be the one to feel wounded.  You didn’t have what you thought were all your hopes and dreams dashed because you didn’t have to be the one to walk in and find the woman you love fist deep in a volleyball player.

Jayce and Mel stand awkwardly watching as Caitlyn unloads on Maddie who is just standing there taking it.  Months of pent up anger exploding from Caitlyn’s mouth like grenades intended to completely obliterate Maddie’s very essence.   As Caitlyn finishes her barrage of insults she finishes with, “And how fucking dare you think you could ever compete with Vi.  Believe me, she is eons more efficient than you ever were.”

“Geeze, Cupcake.  I wasn’t aware efficiency was your thing.  I thought it was long long nights of fun.”

Caitlyn looks up to see Vi has once again sauntered into a party at her home, unannounced.   She’s in an obviously tailored to her tuxedo, it’s a dark navy blue, trimmed in gold.   Her cummerbund is gold, but more importantly accentuates Vi’s ribs as it’s tightly wrapped around her body.  When Caitlyn has finished her once over, she catches Vi winking at her and she’s sure it’s going to be one of the long nights.

She does notice that there’s an insignia on the breast pocket, but she’s too far away to see what the image is.   

“Well, I don’t know about you all, but I only came to ask my girlfriend if she’d rather enjoy a good spin on the floor.”  Vi walks over to Caitlyn, gently grabbing her hand and lifting it to her mouth for a kiss.  “May I have this dance?”

Caitlyn smiles and nods, not even breaking her eye contact to take one more look at the Noxian.  Vi on the other hand, takes one look at her with a face that displays a primal protectiveness.   Maddie responds with her own look of disdain and Vi can’t help but mouth “Fuck you” as she walks off, Caitlyn on her arm.

The two pull each other close when they arrive at the floor.  There are a few other couples swaying back and forth, enjoying the romantic sounds and rhythm of a familiar Christmas song.

“I love this song,” Caitlyn whispers as rests her head on Vi’s shoulder, once again feeling safe. Vi hums and tightens her grip on Caitlyn’s lower back.  “I thought you were going to Vander’s for the evening?”

Vi uncomfortably chuckles.  “Well, that was the plan, but then not long after you left this dude in a black suit knocked on my door, handed me a letter, and walked away,”

The pitcher lifts her head and looks over to her mother.  Cassandra is watching the two woman while standing amidst the same gaggle of people she’d been with while Caitlyn was at the bar.  Slowly, the wheels start turning in Caitlyn’s head as the pieces of the puzzle come together.

She pulls away from Vi who returns the gesture with a look of sadness mixed with confusion.   Caitlyn remembers the insignia she’s seen, but couldn’t tell what it was due to distance.  Now, this close to Vi, she realizes she recognizes it.

“Vi, did you choose this tux?”

Vi scoffs.  “Hell no.  If I’m celebrating Christmas I’m wearing green or red.   The letter said a tux was specifically waiting for me to get fitted for at some tailor. I was pissed when I saw it was blue.”

“Garvin’s.”

The woman in front of Caitlyn nods, still exhibiting the same look of confusion.  “Yea, that’s it.  The letter said Garvin would ensure the tux was ready in time for me to arrive and I quote fashionably late.”

Once again, Caitlyn makes eye contact with Cassandra, who appears annoyed by something Ambessa has said.   This time, Caitlyn looks to the insignia and then back to her mother.  Smugly, Cassandra smiles and lifts her champagne glass.  It’s a sentiment of “you’re welcome”.  Caitlyn realizes what she’s done.

“Do you know what you’re wearing?”

“Uhh some fancy ass clothes your mom made me wear?”

Caitlyn’s eyes meet Vi’s and the latter isn’t sure what she should feel.  She swallows hard and desperately begs silently with her gaze for Caitlyn to explain what is happening. “Vi, you’re wearing the colors and insignia of my house.”

Even more confusion attacks Vi’s body and face.  She looks down and then back up at Caitlyn. “Why?”  The word is a whisper, spoken as if she’s afraid it will catch fire upon its release.

“Vi, how lovely to have you with us once again.”  Neither realized Cassandra had moved toward them.  “Caitlyn, I trust that you and Vi don’t need any assistance handling the Noxian woman?  I saw her speaking to you a few moments ago.”   

“No, mother.  We have it under control.”

“Good.  Vi, I hear you have received an early Christmas gift.”

Confused, Vi looks at Cait for an answer.  When she shrugs, Vi turns to face Cassandra.  “I have?”

“Yes.  I hear that all disciplinary actions that had initially been brought against you after the incident in Ionia have been, reversed.  It appears the Noxian admitted it was all her wrong doing and that you shouldn’t be punished.  All you were doing was making a play at home.   The punch from Nolen was simply her…over-reacting.”

The emphasis on the last word catches Caitlyn’s attention.  It makes her uncomfortable knowing Cassandra probably has heard exactly what was said, nonetheless, this is good news.  She knows this her mother’s doing, but she can’t figure out the angle.   

Meanwhile, Vi stands dumbfounded.  This is all news to her.  Surely if it were truly she’d have heard something from Sevika.

Then right on cue, she receives the text.

Looks like you’re playing with us opening day after all.  Seems the girlfriend of yours has some good connections.

Don’t fuck up again.

“I’m going to grab a bit of fresh air,” the older Kiramman announces and walks off.

“Mrs. Kiramman!”  Vi calls.  The woman stops and turns.  “Thank you.”  The older woman nods and walks off.

Caitlyn follows without saying a word to her mother or Vi.  When the women reach the balcony all she can say is “Why?”.

Her mother smiles and takes a sip of her now refreshed champagne.   She looks away from her daughter and stares out into the distance.  “Don’t take this as a stamp of approval.  This is simply me providing you with a Christmas present that you wouldn’t have asked for.”

At first Caitlyn continues to stare at Cassandra.  Then the looks of everyone, including Maddie, start playing through her head as Vi escorted her to the dance floor.  She was escorted wearing a matching suit, adorned with her family insignia.

“Public humiliation as retribution for public humiliation.”  Caitlyn says it with a smile.  It was to embarrass Maddie.

Cassandra nods.   “Sometimes, may be women like us do get our thoughts and wishes.”

Caitlyn smiles at her mother.  She nods instead of verbally saying thank you, but she can tell her mother understands.   As she turns to return to Vi her mother adds, “Caitlyn, if this one hurts you like the last the punishment will be ten fold.”

“I trust her with my life. It won’t come to that.”  And with that, Caitlyn sees a sliver of hope that perhaps her mother will eventually accept her for who she really is.