Tommorrow
Vi pours herself another drink as she waits for Caitlyn in the living room. It’s been four months since the war ended. Four months of recovery, rebuilding, nightmares, and grief. For Vi, it’s been quiet these past few months. She either roams around the Kiramman household, has a drink, or takes a walk outside in the garden. Ekko comes by sometimes to check on her, but he mostly talks with Caitlyn about the Undercity.
Vi takes a long sip of her drink and sets the glass down on the coffee table. The liquor burns down her throat. It’s already late in the evening. Caitlyn should’ve been home by now, with food for the two of them to eat, even if just a little.
Vi stands and moves to the window. The rain hammers against the glass, and the thick fog makes the city feel strange, unreal.
She takes a deep breath before walking toward the front door, grabbing an umbrella and a jacket. She fumbles for the doorknob, feeling a little fuzzy. Finally managing to open the door, she steps outside, unfurling the umbrella. The front gate is only a few feet away, but she hasn’t walked beyond it in months.
She makes her way toward the garden, humming a quiet melody as she grips the jacket tightly in her hand. Not for herself, but for the woman sitting on a bench, gazing at the pond as raindrops fall. Caitlyn’s clothes are already drenched, but she doesn’t seem to mind.
"Having fun without me?" Vi sits next to Caitlyn, the wet fabric of Caitlyn's clothes sticking to her skin as Vi carefully offers her the jacket, her fingers brushing Caitlyn’s arm in the process.
Caitlyn flinches, her shoulders tensing, before she lets out a small, tight laugh. She takes the jacket, but her fingers linger on the fabric as though unsure whether to take it or push it away.
" It’s been a long day," Is all she says.
"What happened?" Vi asks, her tone gentle but insistent, as she covers Caitlyn with the jacket.
Caitlyn shrugs. "Nothing to worry about."
Since Caitlyn went back to work, the silence between them had grown. Her responses were clipped, her mind drifting elsewhere, even when she was right beside Vi. The sleepless nights had become routine.
Vi lets out a heavy sigh. She ruffles her hair with one hand while she holds the umbrella over them with the other.
"Talk to me, Caitlyn."
Caitlyn bites her lip, the frustration in her partners voice clear. The only reason she hasn’t opened up is because she doesn’t want to drag Vi into her struggles.
"Sevika lashed out at one of the council members today," Caitlyn says, gripping the jacket tighter.
"The council blames me for placing her in that position, and Sevika’s mad at me for placing her there in the first place."
Vi can hear the annoyance in Caitlyn’s voice, but she moves closer, brushing her shoulder against Caitlyn’s. "What was it about?" she asks gently, her eyes searching Caitlyn’s face. Despite the loss of Caitlyn’s eye, Vi knows her better than anyone—she can read her like a book.
Caitlyn turns her head, meeting Vi’s gaze. After a moment, Vi speaks again, her voice calm but firm. "Why don’t you talk to the council tomorrow, and I’ll have a word with Sevika?"
Caitlyn shakes her head. "No, Vi. that’s not necessary.You don’t need to get involved. I’ll handle it. I just—don’t want to drag you into this mess," Vi rolls her eyes and stands in front of her partner. "I’ve been stuck in this house for too long, Caitlyn. It’s like I’ve forgotten how to live outside. She says, pacing in front of Caitlyn.
"I need to do something. Anything. I can’t just stay here, Caitlyn. I can’t keep waiting for you to come home exhausted, while I waste my time drinking and reading. I need to move!"
Caitlyn stands and places a hand on Vi’s cheek. "Okay then," she says, her voice softening. "Tomorrow I’ll talk to the council. You can talk to Sevika."
Vi’s face lights up a little at the suggestion. "I don’t know where Sevika will be tomorrow, so you’ll have to find her yourself," Caitlyn adds.
Vi nods, holding Caitlyn’s hand. "Deal."
"Let’s go inside. Change your clothes and your eye patch," Vi says, as they walk out of the garden back towards the big house.