Noxus - Game 1
Game one of weekend series – Noxus (19-4) vs Piltover (20-2) Medarda vs Kiramman 62 Strikeouts 58 strikeouts until record
The evening air hung thick and moist as the effects from the rainstorm that lingered over Piltover earlier remained ever present in the cool air and slick turf. Caitlyn and Vi stretched on the field with a few teammates when they saw the opposing team march through the stadium toward their locker room. Ambessa no doubt required them to move in sink as though they were soldiers going off to war. Something about the pristine movement should have been intimidating, yet all the battery could feel was annoyance.
When the group of players returned to the locker room in order to change into their uniforms for the day, Sevika was waiting. As soon as Vi rounded the corner into the large room, Sevika signaled with her hand for Vi to follow her toward her office. This was no doubt a warning speech about what not to do in the event Nolen decided to pull anything during the game was coming.
“I don’t think I need to tell you again to keep your shit together, Lanes. This series is too important for you to fuck off and get banished from the weekend. Do you understand?”
“Yes, coach.” Vi was collected. She understood what was at stake. Somehow, even though Piltover’s record was less blemished than that of Noxus, the fact the Commodores had opened the season with Bilgewater and Zaun had hurt their ranking and bumped them down to four while Noxus had overtaken the second-place spot. A lot of people in the softball community felt it was a snub. In Piltover, they took it as a challenge.
The atmosphere was charged as they waited for Sevika to give the word they could go out and start getting officially warmed up for the game. They’d chosen their pinstripes, Caitlyn’s favorites for…reasons. They’d also not lost yet while wearing them. Vi had never believed in luck herself, but she was willing to do whatever it took to kick the shit out of Ambessa Medarda and her fuckass second baseman Maddie Nolen.
Commodore fans showed up, ready to cheer on their hometown favorites in what was being hailed as the “series of the week” according to 6-4-3. Caitlyn had interviewed earlier in the week with the ladies after bailing on them before the home series opener due to an exam she needed to take during their show time. They’d understood and gladly agreed to move the interview prior to the Noxus games.
“Listen up gays, baes, and theys!” Vi shouted. “This series means more to us than it does them. I don’t give a shit how much it hurts or how tired you get, no one backs down today because this one isn’t just for us. It’s for our city!”
Cheers and clapping follow. Caitlyn remains quiet, pondering if it would be inappropriate to peg Maddie with the first pitch of the game. Then she hears Vi.
“And if Nolen turns into a fuckass again,” Vi dramatically pauses to make sure everyone is full listening, “then we show her a proper Pilt welcome.”
That sent the whole locker room into chaotic cheering with many standing and jumping up and down around Caitlyn. Before she knew it, she was chuckling and in the middle of what seemed like a mosh pit.
“Okay you, fucks! Let’s kick the shit out of some war pigs! Coms on 3!”
- - - - - - - -
Vi stood in the circle waiting for the infield to go around the horn and eventually return the game ball to Caitlyn. When the ace handed Vi the ball, Caitlyn flashes a big grin. “I was specifically told by Sevika to and I quote, help keep your shit together for you today. I know she didn’t appreciate your speech.”
The catcher chuckled. “Eh, I like to see how far I can push her. You know what to do, Cait. Pump her outside.”
Nolen was waiting outside the box, watching every stride Vi made toward the plate. Their eyes were locked on one another, daring the other to speak first.
“Well, if it isn’t everyone’s least favorite garden gnome, Maddie Nolen. Did Ambessa have to sign you out of daycare before you could get on the flight this morning?”
Maddie smirked, not responding to either insult Vi had thrown at her. The catcher took it as a silent victory before crouching behind the plate to look for Sevika’s sign. Vi expected a fastball out, but for some reason Sevika was starting with a bold strategy. She gave Cait and Vi the signal for a drop ball, which Maddie would be able to see was coming.
Sure enough, Cait threw the pitch and Maddie held up for ball one. “Looks like I still know how my girl works.”
An angry huff escaped Vi’s throat before she turned to see Sevika calling for an outside fastball. “Fuckin finally dude,” Vi thought before prepping for the pitch. When the pitch comes, Cait misses just enough inside that Maddie is able to make contact and shoot the ball to right field for a single. She watches as the red head makes the turn toward second, only to retreat when the ball is thrown in to the infield toward second. Now, it was time for Vi to shine.
Once again Sevika calls for an outside pitch, this time high so Vi’s momentum would move her body up and into a position to throw toward second base. Sure enough, when Cait throws the pitch Vi sees Maddie take off to steal second. Seconds later, the catcher watches as their shortstop is tagging the Noxian out on the attempted steal. One down in the top of the first.
As Nolen trapses of the field, Vi watches her to ensure she says nothing to Cait. As she crosses the foul line, Vi calls out, “Next time you might want to borrow your fuck buddy’s volleyball legs for some extra speed.”
“Friends, if you’re just joining us after the shellacking Ionia put on Ixtol 18-2, we’ve got a good one here with Noxus leading Piltover 2-1 in the bottom of the 7th. The Commodores are threatening with one out and the tying run on first and third. They probably are rather pleased to see their big bat Vi Lanes coming up.”
Vi was not one to feel pressure often, but something about this at bat felt different. Perhaps it was the weight of knowledge that Ambessa Medarda was an absolute abhorrent human being who should be in prison instead of coaching college softball. Perhaps it was Maddie Nolen and every horrible thing she stood for in Caitlyn’s past. Perhaps it was the simple fact she just straight up hated Noxus and wanted to see them lose everything. Whatever the reasoning, Vi could feel the nerves in her chest as she stepped in the batter’s box.
Medarda is getting tired, and the catcher knows she’s bound to make a mistake and soon. Vi can feel it in her bones that one of her next pitches is going to hang just right and she’ll be able to send it. Her first pitch is a rise ball that Vi holds off on, but still gets called a strike. Annoyed, Vi looks back at the umpire to let him know her displeasure with the call. Shaking her head, she forgets about the error and focuses once more on what’s coming at her next.
Crack. The ball is sent high, to deep left field. Vi watches as she starts toward first base and watches as the ball falls onto the other side of the fence. She makes sure to wink at Nolen as she passes by her moping on her way off the field.
“If this game is setting us up for the rest of the weekend, we are in for a treat here in Piltover. Commodores win after a 3 run blast by Lanes seals the deal. Kiramman finishes with 8 strikeouts which puts her countdown at 52. Ladies and gentlemen, there’s a very real possibility she breaks that record in Ionia where it all started for her.”
- - - - -
The Last Drop is buzzing with Friday night regulars as well as a few of the Commodores who decided to go out and celebrate. Their Saturday game wasn’t until 6 in the evening which gave the girls plenty of time to enjoy a little celebration before needing to return home to rest up enough to be good for the game tomorrow.
Mel Medarda had joined Caitlyn and Vi with Jayce. The catcher had no issue with Medarda. In fact, they both agreed that her mother was too much and Nolen is a terrible human being. They talk shop before discussing future plans for themselves once they finish the season. Mel would spend her required time in the Noxian army before pursuing a career in politics. Caitlyn begged for her to move to Piltover once she was freed of her mandatory service and the woman didn’t hate the idea.
Caitlyn of course discussed joining her father’s business and what role she would be playing once she was officially on his team. Of course, there would be official duties eventually as the leader of the house, once Cassandra relinquished them to her. She made sure to inform the others she hoped that time was considerably down the road.
Finally, Vi remained ever cheeky about her plans. All she would admit to is she’d been in discussions with someone about a job, but she couldn’t share much more. She promised it wouldn’t take her away from the Piltovian region.
Eventually Vi decides to find Vander at the bar, needing a break from the large crowd that was forming around Caitlyn and Medarda. She’d also seen a few other Warriors players walk in and she wanted to make sure that she was as far away from trouble and with someone who could stop her in the event trouble arose.
“You got plans for dinner, Sunday?” the bartender inquires.
Vi smirks, “No, but I have a feeling I’m about it.”
The man lets out a hearty laugh. “Powder and I would like to have you and Cait down. We’ve not got to celebrate the big engagement. Nor have we had a chance to actually eat a meal with her.” She smiles and simply replies.
“Okay. We’ll be here at 6.”
He smiles back at her and just adds, “I’m really glad you chose happiness, kid. You deserve it. I’ll grab you another drink.”
As Vander refills her drink, she feels a small hand grip her shoulder and it immediately makes her feel uneasy. Almost all her teammates would never do something so invasive or if they did it would be a punch to the arm to tell her to get the fuck over herself. Before she can turn around to see what fool would do boldly claim her attention, Vi hears the whisper in her ear.
“I never got to formally congratulate you on your engagement.”
Nolen.
Vi huffs, “Don’t figure even if you did, you’d actually mean it.”
The Noxian laughs, “I mean it is quite amusing that she’s settling for her rebound after me.”
Vi wants to spin around and say something but somehow manages to ground herself by tightly bawling her hands into fists. She so badly wants to slam her right hook into Maddie’s face, but she knows now is not the time or place. Instead, she opts to stare daggers into her drink, praying it’s enough to keep her from killing the woman behind her.
“You’ll always wonder if she ever thinks of me still.” She continues to egg Vi on.
Cait watches dutifully from the side as she pretends to listen to Jayce and Mel. Her concern grows as she sees Vi’s demeanor become more and more rigid and angry as she becomes more unhinged.
“And she’ll always wonder if you love her like you loved Alexis.”
Vi snaps. Her whole body immediately turns, hands grabbing Maddie’s shirt. She lifts the woman in the air, pulling her face as close to her own without them touching. Maddie, smirks as teammates from both sides run to the rescue. Caitlyn watches in shock, unsure what has been said but knowing it had to be bad for the catcher to finally attack. Vi’s eyes are filled with an unbridled rage and her nostrils flare as the anger permeates through her body. All Caitlyn can do is get as close as she can so she can hear the conversation.
“You don’t get to say her name,” it comes out as a hiss. It only inspires Maddie.
“Come on, Vi, tell me I’m wrong. With Cait and I, I know I broke her heart. With you, Alexis died and if she hadn’t, you two would most likely be in Ionia spending a night together.”
Caitlyn sees a brief flicker of recognition in Vi’s eyes that the statement Maddie has made is true. Her heart drops to her stomach with the realization. Now, all she can do is watch as the world crashes around Vi.
Nolen leans forward and finishes off the conversation, “You’ll never be what Cait needs. You’ll never be the polished Kiramman partner that attends events and supports her as she needs. While you’re gallivanting around all of Runeterra coaching, she’ll be left to tend to Kiramman business, representing the house at formal functions, and raising her heir. How long before she gets tired of it?”
The catcher releases the Noxian, looking briefly at Cait whose eyes are pleading for her to not do anything rash. Cait expects to see more anger, for punches to fly, but instead, she sees resignation and pain fill her lover’s eyes before Vi looks away and walks out into the night alone.