Truth and Consequences
They arrived back in Piltover around 8pm. The flight had been silent and somewhat uneventful, except for the two girls flying home with their parents that had immediately recognized them while walking toward the back of the plane.
When the younger of the girls, 10, spotted Cait, she immediately started fangirling. The older one, 14, tried to calm her down and usher her quickly to her seat. Once the seat belt sign was turned off, the two fans bolted toward the middle of the plane to snag autographs and pictures with Cait and Vi. After they landed, the team stuck around and took a full group picture with them and invited them to a game where they’d be honorary captains.
Cait beckoned back to when Jayce told her how philanthropic Vi was. She’d never seen it in person, always allowing Vi to do her thing on her own. During the fall when she couldn’t play, Vi had spent a lot of time at the local children's hospital in Piltover and the orphanage in Zaun. She’d worked fundraisers for the two establishments. If she wasn’t going to be on the field or able to help Vander, she wanted to make use of her time by giving back.
Vi had also always been extremely interactive with fans. No matter where they were playing, if there was a fan that wanted to meet and get an autograph from Vi, she obliged. She was also genuine about it. These two girls had basically been welcomed as members of the team by the catcher. It’s no wonder their parents were appreciative.
The couple rode in silence to Tutler’s, still not sure what to say in the aftermath of their conversation back at the Demacian airport. Cait was close to breaking the silence when instead, Vi broke the ice.
“I’m going to drop you off and then run an errand really quick. It shouldn’t take me long.”
The information threw Cait off guard. It was unlike the woman to leave Cait alone with the girls at a house party. Not because she worried, but simply because it was just odd for Vi to leave Cait alone in general. She wondered if this was her needing space. Then the thought hits her.
“You aren’t buying pills, are you?”
Vi jerked her head to look at Cait, whose expression was hard and angry at the thought of Vi traversing the under city to get a quick “fix” of sorts to mix with the booze. “No and I can’t believe you’d even fucking think that.”
Caitlyn scoffed, folding her arms. “I don’t know what to think.”
Vi said nothing. As they pulled up to the apartment building, Caitlyn opened her door and attempted to leave without saying a word. Before her body could exit, Vi latched on to her wrist, dragging her attention back to the pink haired woman. “If you don’t want me to take this job, I won’t.”
The ace lowered her head to avoid Vi’s gaze, “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Then fucking tell me what you want because I can’t take this shit!” She shouted as though the words will stop her from drowning. Caitlyn’s eyes blew wide open as she ripped her hand away from the grasp of the other woman.
“I can’t! You’re right, I can’t follow you to Ionia because of family responsibilities, but I know if you don’t take that job because of me you’re going to resent me eventually. So, either way I most likely lose you so just do what you want. Run your fucking errand and I’ll see you whenever you get back.”
When the door slammed shut, Vi balled her hands into fists and slammed them against her steering wheel. Anger boiled her blood like water being prepped for tea and the steam is misting from her ears. A part of her wanted to say fuck the errand and run after Cait, but she knew the pitcher needed time. She’d be safe with the girls and they’d more than likely tell her what a jackass Vi was being. “Good. She needs friends right now,” is all Vi can think as she pulls away.
- - - - - -
Never in a million years did Vi see herself standing outside of the Kiramman mansion so late in the evening, knocking on the door. When the staff member opened the large wooden barrier between the home where Caitlyn had grown up and the outside world, the woman was shocked to see Vi. “I need to speak with the Councilor.”
Before the woman could turn to retreat into the rest of the house, Cassandra stood tall at the door beside her. The woman looked utterly surprised at the sight of her daughter’s lover standing in front of her home, requesting an audience with her. “Vi, what a surprise to see you at such an hour. I trust my daughter is alright?”
“No.” The one-word answer caused the councilor to recoil, but Vi continued in order to ease her concern. “She’s not physically hurt so don’t get that idea. I need to speak with you, privately if I can.”
Vi didn’t miss how the older woman seemed to huff at the catcher’s request. “It’s late. Can this possibly wait until a more appropriate time?”
“No, I need to speak with you now.” Her words are firm as she attempted to demonstrate that she would not back down from her request. Slowly she watched as Cassandras resolve faltered and she simply beckoned her into the home by extending her upturned palm toward the inner part of the house. The two women walked past a study area where Vi saw Tobias curiously looking at her as she walked behind his wife. He did nothing to hide the faint smile that transformed his lips into something almost welcoming to the home.
When they arrived at the councilor’s office, Cassandra offered Vi a seat as the door shut behind them. “Would you also like some tea?”
“No thanks. I just need to talk before I lose my nerve on this.”
The woman flashed Vi a look that informed her she was less than pleased with whatever thought had come to her mind. “Well, go on. I trust you aren’t just here to waste your time nor mine.”
“Why did you dress me in a tux that had the Kiramman crest on it? It was your colors. I didn’t know better, but Caitlyn told me.”
Smirking, Cassandra took a silent sip of tea. “I was simply attempting to make a point to the little Noxian whore that my daughter’s heart is not a toy for her to play with.”
“And to do that, you used me.”
“I’m no fool, Vi. I know my daughter is in love with you and that you care very much about her. It was a perfect opportunity to use that to my advantage.”
Something inside of her caused Vi to shoot up from her seat. Anger had already caused her to yell at one Kiramman woman tonight so why not just go two for two at the plate. “Her life is not a fucking game, Cassandra. She’s a person.”
“She’s important.”
“Yea, I know. Believe me. She’s not exactly holding back with that fact regarding me right now.”
The information peaked Cassandra’s attention. She can’t help but ask, “What do you mean by that?”
Vi stopped her pacing that she wasn’t aware she was even doing. Tension resided heavily in her shoulders even as she tries to roll them to ease the discomfort. Vi wanted to keep yelling in order to feel something other than the brokenness she’d felt since Cait had slammed the door before going inside Tutler’s. It had sent a shockwave through her because it reminded her of the night with Lex.
“Lex, I can’t bring a kid into this world. Not after what I’ve been through.”
“Then if that’s your final answer, I don’t think I can be with you anymore,” and the woman had gotten her wish.
The older Kiramman woman stood now, her arms crossed mimicking how Vi had seen this woman’s daughter stand before. Vi had never really taken the time to look, but now that Cassandra stood in front of her, she could see the resemblance between her and Cait. Sure, the mother’s gray hair was shorter and curled unlike Cait’s long, navy locks. They had mirroring gaps in their front teeth. The list could go on and on, but what Vi was focused on is how they had the same tell when they were getting impatient; they both sucked in the right corner of their upper lip.
“I got offered a coaching job in Ionia at the end of the season. I can tell she doesn’t want me to take it because she knows she has to stay here to attend to Kiramman business or whatever it is you all do.”
Confusion. It’s what Vi saw when she locked eyes with Cassandra. She was unsure if it was because of the job offer or if it was because Caitlyn has suddenly decided to take her post-college duties to her family serious. Perhaps both. Whatever it was, the councilor was unable to hide the fact she was unsure what to think of the announcement Vi had just made.
“Do you plan on marrying her?” Like any good player, Cassandra flipped the score. Her question now propelled Vi into an uneasy state that she wasn’t exactly sure what to call it. It wasn’t that she didn’t know the answer, it was simply that she wasn’t expecting the question.
“I do. I know you will never approve of me, but I love her more than anything in this life. I didn’t think I could again, but she’s shown me I can and deserve it. I know I can’t go to Ionia and do this on my own without her by my side, but I know she will never forgive herself if I sacrifice my happiness for her. Cassandra, we’ve already discussed children, we’re moving in together. What we have is real and I know you don’t understand that because of your outdated opinions, but I would die 1000 times before I’d hurt your daughter like she’s been hurt in the past. It’s why I fucked Nolen’s day up when I had the chance. I don’t want to hurt her, but I can’t ignore this opportunity.”
Pondering Vi’s confession regarding the devotion she felt towards her daughter, a slight smile caused her lips to curve upward in approval. “Alright. I’ll talk to Tobias and see what can be arranged. Don’t tell Caitlyn yet. I’ll have her come to the mansion tomorrow.”
Vi nodded, initially ready to return to the party so she could set things right with Cait. However, something in her chest built up and she had one more conversation she wanted to have before leaving the Kiramman manor.
“Did you really make the call to firebomb my parents?”
Councilor Kiramman didn’t even hesitate before answering. “No. The suggestion came from our war advisor from Noxus, Ambessa Medarda. I was the only councilor to vote no on the matter. After it was discovered that a child could have been present, to recover from the scandal I had created by being a dissenting voice I agreed to take the blame as the architect. I never travel to Zaun so I felt it would be okay if they blamed me for the deaths.”
Everything Vi knew is a lie and she was unsure what to make of it. “Why? Why take the blame?”
“Sometimes my dear, it is better to be feared than respected. In a man’s world like I live in, fear is the only thing that garners me respect amongst the Piltover elite. Vi, I never wanted to hurt your parents. I honestly was perfectly fine with Zaun being granted independence. I’ve wanted to tell you, but I had to make sure your intentions with my daughter were honorable. I saw her after Maddie hurt her. She was broken and I honestly never thought she’d love again. I don’t know how, but you instantly gained her trust and won her heart.”
The Zaunite silently shook her head. “Then why did you release Thaddeus Baxter from prison?
The councilor lowered her head. “I didn’t. Baxter’s family is close with Haskel. He made the decision. The timing was extremely unfortunate.”
Vi nodded and started to walk out of the room. She didn’t know what to say. All she knew was that she had to get to Caitlyn.
Cassandra added one last thing for the catcher to ponder, “My daughter has selected a worthy partner to stand by her once she takes over as head of our house, Vi. You two will be very successful together in your ventures whether they be here or Ionia.”
Stopped at the door, the catcher simply said, “I hope she still feels the same way.”
- - - - - -
It never ceased to amaze Vi just how many people Tutler could shove into her apartment. Granted, the apartment she was renting was the size of a one-story house in Zaun, but nonetheless, there were still a shit ton of people. When the catcher entered the party, she received a few disdain filled looks from her teammates.
“Bout damn time you showed up, Lanes.” Amik. The venom that seemed to ooze from the words caught Vi off guard. What had happened in the time she’d been with Cassandra?
“Where’s Cait? I need to talk to her.”
“Come to kiss and ask her to take you back?” Amik stood with her hands on her hips. Her tall body seemed to move in a way that guarded the rest of the house from Vi. The shorter woman knew the move all to well. She’d just performed it a few hours prior trying to keep Sarah Fortune from charging Caitlyn on the mound.
“What the fuck does that mean? I didn’t break up with her!” Her eyes started darting around the room that was currently only lit by lamps. Bodies moved back and forth as pockets of people were dispersed throughout. A group consisting of some of the outfielders was playing what appeared to be an intense game of beer pong in the kitchen. Derst was in the corner making out with her boyfriend, not doing anything to hide the rather intimate moment. Then, Vi finally spotted Caitlyn.
The ace was holding a beer. It was obvious by the way her head tilted slightly back and forth she’d already had a considerable amount to drink. There was a mischievous smile on her face as she spoke to someone. Her cheeks blushed at something and Vi couldn’t miss the inclination the act brought. Without even seeing the other party, Vi knows whoever it is, they’re flirting with her.
Vi pushed Amik out of the way which awarded her a non-friendly name. Her strides were determined as she pushed through a group of people she didn’t recognize. When she finally reached the other side of the room, she saw the individual Caitlyn had been talking to. The woman was tall, blonde, and very attractive. All of her attention, including strikingly warm deep brown eyes were transfixed on Cait, who was eating it up.
Anger boiled over and finally Vi snapped. “Real fucking cool, Cait. Glad to know I meant that much to you.” The pitcher snapped out of her daze and immediately recognized the hurt that ruminated from Vi’s body.
“Vi.” The enunciation of the name sounds pained. “This isn’t what you think.”
Vi huffs out a laugh. “You know what. I’m don’t care. Do what you want.” The catcher simply turned and walked away.
“Vi wait!” Caitlyn jumped from her seat to run after her, but it was too late. The crowd of people had caused her to lose sight of the woman and she’s gone. “Shit.”
Amik appeared in front of her, dazed and confused regarding the events that just unfolded. “Cait, what just happened?”
“I need to find Vi.”