(Snowdown Night) {ZEDD- Daisy Michaels}
She panics at first when she wakes up.
She panics as she does not recognise the warmth that seeps in the crook of her neck, or the tickle of lilac hair on her cheek. She panics at the feeling of limbs messily entangled with hers.
However, her brain becomes alert and recognition hits her neurons as she peels the girl from her body. Illya murmurs grumpily in her sleep as she rolls over, causing the sleeping bag to move with her. Dakota rolls her eyes as she tries to squirm out of the warm material. Eventually, she escapes, letting her bare feet pad along the cold wooden flooring as she makes her way to the sheriff's kitchen. Her fingers slide through her hair, disentangling the mess that sleep created. She finds the kettle, turning on the stove, to boil some water for her life essence of tea. As the water begins to heat up, her eyes travel to the cupboard holding the motherload of all tea puts a finger to her lips as her eyes rove the contents, reading the names of foreign flowers and exoctic herbs.
"Piltovian Breakfast blend is the best to wake up with."
Dakota whips her head to the voice, and chuckles as the sheriff meanders into the kitchen. She wraps herself tightly in her purple silk robe. Her feet are covered in a pair of poro slippers as she shuffles closer, rising to her tip toes and retrieving a black and gold cardboard box. She pulls out two pre made bags of the leaves and begins to stretch to gather two mugs.
"Allow me." Dakota reaches for the purple mug and the black mug, placing them on the counter.
Caitlyn smiles sweetly at the girl, who reaches for the soon to be screaming kettle and pours the perfect amount of boiling water. "Milk?" She asks, raising an eyebrow to the sheriff, who nods.
Dakota grins. Sliding to the double door refrigerator, she opens the wrong side first, gaining a small chuckle from the sheriff. Dakota rolls her eyes, and goes to the right door pulling the milk carton off the side and bringing it to the mugs. She spins the cap in her dexterous fingers and angles herself so that the sheriff can watch her. "Just say when."
Caitlyn can't resist missing the rough Piltovian accent in her voice. She watches the way her wrist turns as she pours the liquid giving just a small splash. "When." She whispers.
Dakota nods and pulls at a nearby drawer, smiling at herself as she got the right one, and produces a small spoon, twirling it in her fingers before she stirs the liquid. She taps the spoon on the rim of Caitlyn's mug, getting the excess tea off of the metal bit. Dakota passes the mug over to the sheriff who takes it gratefully. "Thank you."
"Anytime." Dakota mumbles as she repeats the ritual to her own mug. She places the milk back in the fridge and the dirty spoon into the basin of the sink. The girl leans her back against the counter top and takes a long sip of tea, humming in content.
"You make a good cup of tea." Caitlyn comments.
Dakota snorts. "Demacia has terrible tea, so I learned how to make a good cup or else I wouldn't have survived."
"Wise tactic." Caitlyn giggles.
"You know who made a good cup of tea?" Dakota asks from behind her mug.
Caitlyn raises her eyebrow in question.
Dakota's smirk is so genuinely trouble filled, that Caitlyn can already feel herself rolling her eyes.
"Rose. That woman was quiet the dictator when it came to our discipline, but by the gods she made a hell of a cuppa."
The Piltovian slang flows through her lips as easily as she breathes and it gives Caitlyn a content feeling. Her daughter may have been away from home for a long time, but Piltover would always be a part of her. "You are very right." She agrees, taking another short sip.
Dakota looks up curiously at Caitlyn. "Whatever happened to Rose?"
"She is currently employed by the Gansents, caring for their small children. You could visit her sometime, I'm sure she would enjoy seeing you and Elric." Caitlyn replies.
Dakota chuckles. "I can see it now." She places her mug down, and puffs her cheeks as she imitates her past nanny. "Dakota Sarah Sampson!" She squeals in a lower city accent." I thought aye taught ya buggers ta never wear black, it makes ya look gloomy." She drawls. "And look at those dark circles, how in da void hells are ya gonna get married if ya look like yer sleepin' with da dead!"
Caitlyn bursts out in a fit of laughter, almost spraying the tea that was in her mouth.
"I swear to the gods, every time I do something stupid, I can hear her screeching my name in the back of my head." Dakota beams from behind her mug.
"Rose Doyle, is quite the woman." Elric pads over to his kid sister from the kitchen entrance. He is in a comfy pair of sweatpants and a tight knit blue shirt that accentuated his sapphire eyes. He wrapped an arm around his sister's shoulders and swiped at her mug, causing Dakota to glare daggers of ice toward him. He chuckles as he takes a swig, gaining an eyeroll from his baby sister. He gives a charming wink toward Caitlyn. "She adored me."
"Because you never got caught." Dakota pokes at his ribs playfully, earning a hip nudge from her brother.
"Well, yeah. I had you to blame." He throws his back as a memory hits him. "I still feel bad for you getting blamed for breaking her limited edition Ionian Opera concerto number four record."
Dakota's mood grows sour as she pouts her lips. "I still don't forgive you for that." Dakota mumbles. "I can still feel the belt on my behind. And you got to eat brownies while I was sent to bed."
"Hey, you took a great sacrifice for your older brother." He quips as he ruffles her hair. "I had good reason to destroy that monstrosity. She would sing along with it every night while I was trying to sleep, and her room was below mine. You didn't have to live with that torture."
"You're still an ass." She grumbles as she fixes her messed hair.
"Mornin' kiddos." Vi croons happily as she comes behind Caitlyn and wraps her arms around the sheriff's waist. Her chin rests on top of her partner's shoulder. Atop her mop of short vibrantly pink hair is a red snowdown hat, with a white pom pom dangling at the side of her face. "Happy Snowdown." She kisses the top of Caitlyn's head. "Today is gonna be a great day! Falalalalala la la la YEAH!"
Like an excited puppy Vi takes off without warning, a large shit eating grin spread through her lips as she takes to the winds. Moments later the sound of Abbie shrieking echoes in the apartment.
Caitlyn pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs. She'll have to apologize for that one later. "I feel that this was our cue for us to go to the living room."
Elric claps his sister's shoulders as the two of them exit the kitchen. Caitlyn follows behind them and goes straight for her wing chair that is placed beside the snowdown tree.
Dakota and Elric circle Alex's sleeping form. Elric gives his sister a knowing look that spreads a sly grin on to her thin lips. The two of them circle to the back of the couch and in unison they tip the sofa forward causing the eighteen year old to spill on to the floor.
"Fucking rude, assholes." He grumpily pouts as he rises from the floor. His lanky form shivers from the cold. "Could've woken me a bit gently, don'tcha think?"
The Sampson siblings both chuckle as they flop onto the sofa. Illya rises from the floor, stretching her body out and yawning. She cracks her neck, rolls her ankles and wrists as she strolls over to the sofa and sits at Dakota's feet placing her temple on the teen's knees and her back against the sofa.
The soldier is flustered at the contact, but eases slightly as she begins to relax. However, she keeps Illya in the corner of her eye.
Caitlyn raises her eyebrow when did Illya become so cozy with the soldier?
Abbie grumpily saunters into the living room with a prideful Vi behind her. The redhead slinks over to Elric and curls herself in his lap, putting her cheek onto his shoulder.
"Good morning." He smiles, placing a small kiss on her forehead.
"It is not a good morning." She grumpily mumbles, pouting toward Vi.
Matais and Alex sit beside Illya taking their places beside the Sampsons' legs. Alex, wrapped in his sleeping bag, uses it as a cloak to stave off the cold. He glares grumpily through the makeshift cloak toward the sheriff.
Vi skipped over to the snowdown tree with childlike excitement. The pompom of the snowdown hat she wears bobs with each excited step. She distributed the small wrapped rectangular boxes and envelopes to the soldiers, before she skids over to Caitlyn's chair. She leaps onto one of the arms, perching herself like a vigil eagle as she clings to a very large wrapped present to her chest.
Alex is the first to inspect the beautifully wrapped box, looking at the well pressed corners and seamlessly taped edges. "Why are we getting presents?" He asks perplexed.
"Because it's snowdown." Is Vi's quick reply as her excited grin grows larger and the tattoo at her cheek crinkles with pure joy.
"But we didn't get you guys anything." Alex frowns.
"We don't need anything, Alexander. You have gifted us with a safe city and your company." Caitlyn adds as she places her hand on Vi's knee. "This is a time for you all to relax, and to have fun."
Illya snorts as she shakes her present listening for a distinct rattle. "That's awfully kind of you."
"Well stop looking at 'em!" Vi shouts. "Open 'em up!"
Dakota smirks as her fingers glide over the wrapping paper. She looks to her brother and Abbie who both have opened identical red envelopes. Abbie rolls her eyes and Elric laughs.
"You didn't have to do this." Abbie chuckles.
"Of course we did, the two of you deserve it. Enjoy your time together, it's not often that couples can ever get some alone time with each other,especially when they are busy taking care of the people they love." Caitlyn explains. "The Demacian seaside has some of the most spectacular views and it is placed far away enough to be away from the hustle and bustle of soldiers and cities. The train leaves in two days"
"Thank you, Cait." Elric beams, he wraps his arms around Abbie, placing their foreheads together. "A nice quiet vacation. It will be sublime."
"I bet you the quiet will drive us nuts in two days." Abbie jokes.
"Oh my Gods!" Matais gasps. He clutches his new spell tome to his chest. "How did you get your hands on this?"
Caitlyn and Vi share a knowing look.
"Let's just say, a very experienced spellthief had acquired it for us." Vi chuckles.
Matais's face flushes pale. "Lady C-C-crownguard got this? For me?"
"Gods, Matais, don't faint." Alex teases as he opens his intricately decorated box. He grins widely. "How'd ya know I needed new scabbards?" His eyes rove over the leather work. "Is that-?"
"The Preston Cutlass!" Abbie gawks as she takes the leather scabbard and inspects the hand crafted etchings of their father's infamous monster hunting ship.
The Preston siblings look to the beaming sheriff with wide eyes.
" A very knowledgeable man gave me the details I needed to have the leatherworker fashion it. I believe his name was Mr. Kelly." Caitlyn grins.
"Of course Gerald, would do something like this." Abbie shakes her head, her lips twitched up in an easy smile.
All eyes turn to Illya's quiet form. Her emerald hues are trained on the object in her hand. The jett black metal isn't as weighty as it looks, surprisingly being light for it's size. Her small hands wrap around the hilt as she inspects the carved pammel. The insignia of the Noxus is polished perfectly to gleam in the light of the living room. The leather in the grip is soft and well worked to feel comfortable in her hand. Her finger glides over the edge, nicking the skin on her fingertips, leaving a very pleasing clean cut. "This weapon is finely crafted." Her eyes cut to Caitlyn. "Not many can forge Noxian steel past the border."
A knowing smirk twitches the corner of Caitlyn's lips. "You are very right. Hence, is why I contacted a similar Noxian exile who is very well practiced in the forges."
"The Exile?" Illya questions skeptically.
"She wishes you a happy snowdown and has told me to inform you that a shop in the lower district has the best meat pies outside of Noxus." Vi adds. "Riven's a pretty cool person, maybe someday the two of you could meet."
Illya smirks. "I'll be sure to send her something in thanks. I appreciate the gift, sheriff. Thank you."
"Come on, Dakota. Open yours!" Vi demands, still holding onto her massive present tightly.
Dakota rolls her eyes, but does as she is told. She opens the box to produce a Piltover Customs tank top. She unfolds the shirt putting up against her shoulders. She chuckles at the design on the chest. The flame like letters are created by the muffler of the bombadier's copter. "This is awesome." Dakota shows the shirt to everyone else as she passes it along, a red envelope flutters from the dark material. Dakota squints suspiciously to Vi, who wiggles her eyebrows. She leans to grab the envelope and opens the red paper. Her eyes widen as she inspects the two tickets. "No Way!" She yells in shock. "BATTLE MANIA SEVENTEEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!" Dakota launches herself off the couch and tackles Vi off of the arms of the wing chair, nearly squashing Vi's present. "Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!" She squeals as she squeezes Vi's mid section in an excited embrace.
"I think she likes it, Cupcake." Vi laughs as she returns the embrace.
"I don't like it, I love it!" Dakota shouts.
"I told you she would." Caitlyn chuckles.
"You and I got pitt tickets, kiddo." Vi's grin is trouble filled. "We get to see the wire carnage up close and personal. Aaaand, because I'm awesome, I know some of the guys working the repair station, so you can get a look at any bot ya want."
"You guys are the best." Dakota wipes a tear from her cheeks.
"Ah don't cry, kid. Makes ya look lame." Vi taps her knuckles on the girl's arm.
"Alright, Vi. It's your turn, love." Caitlyn comments, leaning back in the wing chair. Vi rubs her palms together and sits herself at Caitlyn's feet. She crosses her legs as she sits, with Dakota kneeled beside her. She tears apart the gift wrapping like an excited wolverine.
Her loud gasp could probably be heard all the way to Bilgewater. The new leather jacket earns an awed gaze from everyone in the vicinity. The black material was adorned with Pink racing stripes that ran along the arms connecting at her placed the jacket over her body and she grinned widely when she felt the metal material on the inside. "It's stylish armor."
"Meant specifically for, how they said, 'Queen of Punk'." Caitlyn explains, rolling her eyes at the memory.
Vi grins wickedly. She poses, flexing her biceps and feeling the way the jacket works with her movements. "Wanna test out that sword Illya?"
"Absolutely not, Vi." Caitlyn warns.
"Fine, Cupcake." Vi rolls her eyes playfully. She turns her attention to Dakota who gives a mischievous smirk.
"I put hers under the tree." Dakota replied. "I'll get it."
"Hers?" Caitlyn asks. Her memory goes back to Dakota standing guard in front of a steaming hot forge. "Oh, the snowdown present the two of you made."
"There's two parts to it." Vi mentions as she watches Dakota crawling underneath the massive Ionian fir tree.
"Found it." Dakota rises victoriously holding a small velvet box in her dexterous hands. She takes the necessary steps to reach Caitlyn and presents the box to the Sheriff. "It's from all of us."
"Thank you." Caitlyn whispers gratefully, taking the small velvet box gingerly in her lithe hands.
Dakota backs up, hugging herself as she watches the sheriff with a nervous energy.
Caitlyn opens the small box and gasps at the beautiful piece. The glowing platinum gleamed off the light. On the outer front shell was a masterfully carved out hextech hummingbird with a scripted CD engraved in the corner of one of it's wings. She popped the latch to peel the shell back to look at a beautiful gem encrusted clock face. Languid flowing script was inscribed on the inside.
The Hero of Many
"Vi said that your pocket watch got destroyed when Jinx attacked. So we put the money together to get some decent material and with Vi's help, we built it from scratch. Illya drew the Hummingbird." Dakota looked to her feet, watching as her toe tapped the wooden floor.
"It's gorgeous." Caitlyn remarked, pulling the long chain up to inspect the shine of the platinum material.
"It's made out of the highest grade of Platinum possible. It could get shot by armor piercing bullets, even magic and not get a single dent." Dakota explained. "It was my first time with clockwork, so if it malfunctions, I'll take it to a professional to get it calibrated properly."
"It seems very well made, Dakota. Thank you for this. I had no idea Illya had such an artistic talent." She quipped, making the Noxian blush.
"It's just a hobby." She mumbles, turning her attention back to her short sword.
"Now it's my turn." Vi chuckles. "Cait, c'mere."
Caitlyn furrowed her brow as she rose from the wing chair, taking her place beside Vi. The pinkette extended her hands, entwining the sheriff's fingers with hers.. "What are you doing, Vi?'
"Shhh, don't ask questions." She leaned forward and kissed Caitlyn's forehead. "Alright, Dakota, pass it over."
Caitlyn watched the small exchange between the teenager and the pinkette. Vi turned her attention back to Caitlyn and gave a shaky breath. She gave her iconic charming side smile toward the sheriff.
"Cait, you need to know, that you changed my life the day we met. I thought you were this high class priss that would just look down your nose at me, but ya didn't. You gave me a chance to prove myself and to prove that I wasn't some criminal with good intentions. I never considered myself a hero, but some kid who stands here with us today, told me I was one of her greatest inspirations. That was all because of you." Vi then fell to one knee, her violet eyes showing a vulnerable side of herself, baring her soul to her partner. In her hand, was an open ring box, revealing a beautiful gold and diamond ring.
Caitlyn's heart beat like a wild horse. Her hand went to her mouth as her eyes widened in shock.
"Cupcake, these past nine years, have been the best nine years of my life and I don't want it to stop. I want to do this life thing with you for the rest of my days. I got your mother's and your father's blessing, because I wanted show the greatest respects to them. So, Caitlyn, sheriff, partner, in the witness of friends, Will you marry me?"
Caitlyn had never said yes so fast in her life.
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(That evening) {Linkin Park- Catalyst}
The shadows had always been something he was comfortable in. Even as a young lad, the dark had never been something he was afraid of, so when the opportunity arose, to be one with the shadows, he knew he would sacrifice anything for it.
He would lead his people to the greatness they deserved. He would take Ionia and raise it to the great nation it once was.
Noxians have always been something to respect.
And fear.
However, he would show no fear, he had no fear to give.
He met the Noxian.
The shadows had coursed off of him like clouds breaking from the tip of a mountain. He appeared, his image solid with his edges vaporous and non existent of light. His ruby eyes, were cold as they stared at the grand general.
"You've finally showed your face." Swain sneered. His raven cocked her head, blinking her four eyes to the master of shadows.
"Indeed I did. I shouldn't be shocked that you knew I was following you." Zed added.
"I knew you were following me since I stepped onto Ionia." The Noxian growled.
"I needed to ensure that you were to keep your word. I must admit, you are quite the leader and you blew my expectations right out of the water. I hope you understand my meaning for being so discreet, I needed to ensure you were genuine. You are offering a lot to my people."
Swain nods. "No, I do understand. Your wisdom will be quite the tool to correct the Noxian war machine." He chuckles evilly. "However," He snarls. "If you intend to work with me, you will not hide yourself in secrecy unless asked."
Zed bowed. "You have my word grand general."
Swain's lips turned up with malicious intent. "Excellent, let us plan, master of shadows. We have an island to conquer."
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(Snowdown Night) {Julie Fowlis- Lon-dubh (Scots Gaelic Rendition of Blackbird)}
Her icy eyes fluttered open in the quiet space of the dark living room.
The hexavision had long been turned off. The city lights illuminating from the balcony and massive bay windows revealed the scene in front of her. Alex was curled up in the wing chair. His head hanging off the arm, his mouth agape as he breathed through his sleep. Wrapped in his sleeping bag, Matais had his back to the sheriff, his shoulders rising and falling with each deep breath he took. Abbie and Elric were nowhere in sight, probably back in the guest bedroom.
She looked up to see Vi passed out, with her face pressed into her fist, drool hanging from the side of her mouth as she quietly snored. She chuckled as she regarded her form, spread along the entirety of the couch. She had rested her head on Vi's thigh with the brawler's arm laying across her waist.
The sheriff's right arm, however, made her body freeze up. Caitlyn's nose had been nuzzled into the back of Dakota's neck, catching the girl's scent of mint and fire. The sheriff's arm had been draped over the soldier's shoulder, resting along the girl's body . Dakota's temple was pressed into Vi's knee cap at the base of the sofa. She was lost to the realm of sleep and dreams. Illya had managed to entwine herself with Dakota, her head resting against the soldier's chest, with Dakota's arm wrapped around the girl's body.
Caitlyn smiled softly as she relaxed. She was in pure bliss with her fiancee and her daughter sleeping in close vicinity to each other.
Vi was right, it was a good day. They had all spent it together playing board games, watching movies and eating a disgusting amount of pizza. It was probably the most lazy Snowdown she had ever had, but nevertheless, it might have been the best one. She pulled the girl closer, humming in content. It felt amazing to be in the proximity of her biological daughter. If she had been more in a conscious state she would have been more cautious around the girl.
But Caitlyn couldn't care less now.
She wouldn't care that someone could see her nuzzling closer, and tightening her arm around the girl, who in her sleep, moved closer to the sheriff.
She couldn't care that her father hated Dakota for the very breath she breathed.
She couldn't care.
And so she would be selfish and enjoy the warmth her daughter provided for her. She would enjoy this bond, that she was forging under the Ionian fir snowdown tree.
She and Dakota were happy and safe, and that's all she cared about.
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(The Next Day) {Tom Day-Who We Want To Be)
It had never been more frightened in it's life. With every panic bound, it's heart threatened to explode. It's chest almost imploded with each panicked breath.
Where does it go? Where does it hide?
How will it be remembered?
The sounds of bloodthirsty hounds bayed, causing it to falter as terror shook it's core.
The sound of metal sliding back catches it's ears like the gritting sound of the hounds.
A chill runs through it's body.
This was it.
This is how it was to die.
The smell of gunpowder strikes it's nose, as a thunderous sound echoes out into the cold winter air. The concussion of the metal pierced it's skull causing it to keen out in agony before collapsing to the white snow covered ground. Blood speckled the pure white fluff.
It twitched twice before it's amber eyes faded into lifelessness.
"You know, it fills me with a terrified pride when I see you shoot." Caitlyn's mother smirks, as she breathes in the thermos cup of Lemon grass tea. She is wrapped in a warm furs huddled close to her prone daughter. They are both up in the trees, in a hunting stand. A pair of binoculars, hang from Catherine's swan like neck, as she watches her daughter rise using her elbows. Caitlyn brushes snow off her body as she sets the safety onto the rifle, and carefully places it onto the hunting stands high up shelf.
"Vi, the stag is north east about a kilometer and a half away." She calls down to two figures huddled in a hunting blind below them.
"Gotcha, Cupcake. We'll go collect! C'mon Peter, time to go traipsing around in the snow!" She croons out as she nudges the middle aged man playfully.
The two begin their hike into the cold. Caitlyn seats herself next to her mother, gratefully taking a steaming thermos cup, her mother poured for her. From the viewpoint the two women have based themselves they can see their loved ones, pushing through the snow. The hunting dogs happily circle at their feet as they follow the hunting masters.
"So, how are you doing? You seemed quite peeved with your father after you stormed out." Catherine brings up as she keeps her eyes on the backs of Vi and Peter.
Caitlyn's mood shifts as her smile fades into tight lipped emotions. "I am fine."
"Stubborn as always, my dear." Catherine sighs. "You know, I am with you on this case. He has got to get over this whole situation."
Caitlyn rolls her eyes. "Mother we don't need to get into this. What's done is done. If he does not want a relationship with her, that's his choice. End of discussion."
"How is she doing?" Catherine completely ignores Caitlyn.
The sheriff sighs finally succumbing to her mother's will. "She's fine. She bears no ill thought toward him." Caitlyn grumbles.
"She seems like the forgiving type." Catherine comments.
"He doesn't deserve her forgiveness. I apologize mother, but he was acting like an irritable twat and it angered me completely."
"I know love, I can tell by the way you have been ignoring him the entire trip. I had quite the chat with him, after you and the guests left. I believe his consumption of alcohol altered his ability to have a filter."
"Mmm," Caitlyn agrees. She brings her knees up to her chest. " I understand why he is like that with her, but she deserves so much, mother. She is bright ,astounding, talented, intuitive and creative." She digs into her pocket producing her new pocket watch. "I mean look at this." She passes the object to her mother who gasps at the beauty of the piece. "Vi told me that she slaved over it for three days straight. She did everything except for the illustration on the front."
Catherine inspects the pocket watch with intense eyes, observing the well crafted arms of the watch and the perfectly polished shells. "It's incredible."
"She's sixteen and capable of some amazing things. Her spirit is fierce as well, she does not give up easily." Caitlyn chuckles. "She is quite the devil in the fighting ring."
Catherine smiles widely. "She sounds just like you when you were younger."
Caitlyn scoffs. "She is much better than I am."
Catherine shrugs. "Well as your mother, I could describe you the same as you had just described her." A small smirk tips at her mother's cheeks as she brings the thermos cup to her lips. "You don't give up easy. It's something I admire in you and your father."
"Ugh, mother do not get sappy on me." Caitlyn teases.
"Speaking of sappy, I see the ring on your finger, darling. Vi finally popped the question?" Her mother gets giddy.
Caitlyn blushes, pulling the furs around her body closer to her face. "Yes, she did." Caitlyn mumbles, as her face turns scarlet.
"Oh you love struck fool, let me see the ring." Catherine teases, grabbing at her daughter's left hand and inspecting the golden ring. "She had asked us for your hand last month. I have to say, for a woman who was raised on the streets, she is quite familiar with our customs."
Caitlyn smirks. "She probably asked Jayce or Ezreal. She is determined to ensure she does the whole 'marrying' thing right."
"Well I appreciate it." Catherine smiles as she takes another sip of tea. "What does Vi think about you and Dakota?"
Caitlyn is quiet as she looks to her knees.
"You haven't told her?" Catherine stares at her daughter incredulously. "Darling, you need to tell her this. You should have told her the day she met Dakota."
"I wasn't... sure." Caitlyn admits.
"I'm sure VI would understand, love." Catherine coos as she puts an arm around her daughter's shoulder, embracing her discomfort.
"I just..I just don't want her to hate Dakota like father hates her. She isn't some monster. She isn't him." She whispers sadly.
"I know love. She is nothing like that monster." Catherine holds her daughter tightly to her chest.
In the distance Vi and Peter stare at the stag carcass in wonder.
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(Two days later) {Stromae- Papaoutai}
Excitement ran through her bloodstream like a potent drug. Her eyes took in the spectacle with unleashed giddiness.
"C'mon, saw 'em in half!" Vi bellowed as she cheered the battling robot on. The crowd around them roared in excitement as the large humanoid shaped robot, attacked it's opponent with incredible power. Metal screeched and groaned as the chainsaw arm dismembered the enemy with extreme ease. Wires and sparks were revealed to the crowd, making them roar even louder.
Dakota craned her neck to look at the electronic carnage before her. Her icy eyes took in the scene with awe struck eyes. "This is amazing! I can see the motherboards from here!" She yells over the crowd. Vi's pitt tickets were up close to the ring, basically putting them right next to the caged area. If the bots could bleed, they would have been soaked in it.
With wonder filled icy eyes, Dakota had never seen anything so amazing in her entire life.
The winning bot tore into its opponent viciously causing angry sparks to fly out to the screaming crowd. With a squelching groan, the bot tore its opponent in half.
The crowd was deafening as they leaped from their seats, arms up in pure victory. Vi wrapped her arms around Dakota lifting the teen up and placing her on her shoulders as the bot went around the cage touching the hands of fans. Dakota reached her hand out, feeling the cool metal touch her pale skin.
Eventually the bot was escorted out and the crowd dissipated. Vi mused Dakota's raven black hair as the teen practically vibrated with excitement. Her pupils large, looked up to Vi. "It was so amazing!" She shook uncontrollably. "We could see everything! We need to do this again!"
"Ya got it kiddo. Cait doesn't get as excited like you do so this makes bot fighting much more fun." She chuckles. "Now c'mon, let's go meet the champ."
Dakota's maniacal giggle, made the pinkette roll her eyes as she hip checked the girl playfully.
They walked through the arena halls, down a flight of stairs, until they were in the underbelly of the bot fighting pitts. Crowds milled about, inspecting torn apart opponents, smaller bot fight rings, and champion kiosks. They pushed through the flow of people, moving toward the champion. A circle of people huddled around the kiosk. The bot was posing with fans, while it's engineers stood with their arms behind their backs, their chins turned up in pride.
"Tom Conolly!" Vi called out, causing one of the head engineers to snap his head to the pinkette. His grin widened as he caught sight of Vi.
"Vi! It's good ta see ya!" He calls out gruffly. His voice was very low and heavy heavily accented of the lower city. His jett black hair was as dark as his eyes. His weathered pale face was crinkled up in joy as he embraced the pinkette. His eyes didn't even go to the teen beside her, who was having a hard time trying to keep her cool as she was too close to the fighting bot. She wanted to inspect everything, take it apart and see what made it move so efficiently. Her eyes were locked onto the gleaming metal chest. That's where it's main components must have been, because that was solid Ionian platinum, one of the strongest and most expensive metals on the market.
"Vi," Dakota squeaked excitedly. "It's so beautiful."
Tom finally took notice of the girl, his brow furrowed heavily. "By the void, I thought ya had the sheriff next ta ya! Who in da hell is this gremlin?" Tom asked grumpily.
Vi chuckled. "This gremlin is my assistant, Dakota. Quite the lil' nerd too." The pinkette joked.
Dakota waved Vi off as she kept her icy eyes to the fighting bot. She turned her attention to Tom. "May I see it?" She asked, with wide puppy dog like eyes.
"Uh…" The man took a step back. "Yeah, go right ahead, kid. Just don't touch nothin'." He warned.
Dakota took off instantly as soon as she heard the man utter 'yeah'.
"You shouldn't have brought her here. Uptown folks, don't do well in these parts." He mumbles toward Vi, who crosses her arms over her chest. Dakota surrounds the bot with observative eyes, trying to keep her hands away from it.
"She's just a kid, Tom." Vi snorts. "She's a soldier and she doesn't get ta do awesome things, like a normal sixteen year old should do."
"Look at ya being responsible." He jokes.
"Hey, I learned it from the best." She smirks toward Tom as he playfully taps the pinkette's shoulders with his knuckles.
"Well, just keep her away from Nicholas. Her kind don't do well with my brother's kind. She looks like she could be the sheriff's pup with looks like those." He squints his eyes suspiciously. "Topsidders all look the same."
Vi grins. "Speaking of Topsidders," She reveals her left hand, showing the gold band around her ring finger.
"Fucking took ya long enough." He pokes. "By the void, girl. That shoulda happened years ago."
Vi suddenly jumps in panic as she finds that Dakota is nowhere in sight. "Where'd she go? She was just there!"
Tom stands from his laid back position craning his neck to look around the crowd. The colour in Vi's face drains completely as the realization hits.
"Dakota?" She calls out over the crowd. "Dakota!"
Not a single reply is uttered.
Tom takes to the people swarming around his bot, asking the crowd if they had seen something.
Vi frantically searches the milling people, looking for the mop of familiar black hair.
"Vi!" Tom calls out. "Nicholas is missing!"
"Son of a bitch!" Vi roars. "Where'd he go, Tom?" She snarls angrily,stomping toward the man with intense anger. She flips her hexcommunicator open, punching in numbers aggressively. Caitlyn was going to lose her mind.
"I think I know where. Follow me!" He calls already making room through the stream of people, sprinting with Vi behind him.
***********************************************************/)(\**********************************************
(seconds earlier) {Skope-Wouldn't I}
"Little bitch!" The large man grunts. Dakota's knee connected into his stomach. With a roar he charges the girl, slamming her into the brick wall.
The breath escapes from her body, as his large hands grab at her neck, closing her airways.
"I shoulda known she would have hidden you away!" He screams in her face. " It's been sixteen long years of hiding from her, making sure she doesn't catch me, and all along, she hid you from me! My own flesh and blood." He grits his teeth as he tightens his grip around her throat. His jett black hair was getting soaked through the intense snow that blizzard in the alley.
"I...don't...know..what..you're..talking ...about." Dakota wheezed out. She claws at his arms trying to cause a distraction as she brings her foot to slam into his thigh, making him release her as he reeled back.
Dakota coughed as her airway expanded, billows of cold air filling her desperate lungs. She couldn't take the time to regain her breath. She exploded forward, blowing past the angry man. She slipped forward, scraping her palms as she scrabbled up.
"Oh no you don't little rabbit. I'm not done with you yet!" He bellows, his low voice causing terrified tremors through her body. He reached forward grabbing at her ankle, and dragged the girl back. Dakota clawed at the concrete, trying to find some kind of purchase to pull herself away from the man. She kicked out at him, her foot connecting into his nose and making him snarl like a rabid dog. He released her momentarily as he brought his hands around his nose, cradling the broken cartilage.
With insane desperation she tries to take get back up, but he recovers quickly. He leaps onto the escaping girl like a prowling lion.
"Get off of me!" She growls, pushing her body up to fight against his weight.
He flips her body, pinning her to the watery cement. He straddles her hips, keeping her down, his large hands collecting her wrists and pinning them above her head.
"You even sound like her." He grins mischievously. His fingers dance along the midriff of her shirt, touching her exposed belly."I wonder if you scream like her." He purrs.
With an enraged battle cry, she bucks her hips, over throwing his balance. She rolls as soon as she senses his misbalance, switching their positions. She slams her fist into his cheek, making him howl out in pain filled rage. She presses her knee into his windpipe, watching his black eyes widen in fear, as she bears her teeth to the man.
He scratches at her knee, as he desperately tries to breathe. He flails his long limbs, striking her face and clawing along the skin of her neck. Dakota cries out as she is pushed off of him. She quickly gets to her feet and raises her fists.
"I am not who you think I am!" She screams. "Back off, or I will be forced to incapacitate you."
"Your mother teach you that?" He growls, clenching and unclenching his fists. "Where is she now girl?"
"Six feet under the ground with my father, where you will be when I'm done with you!" She spits.
"Fucking liar!" He bellows. "I know who you are, Deramore!" He leaps forward extending his fist out, she blocks him as she ducks low, wrapping her arms around his waist. He slams his knee into her abdomen, causing her to breathe out harshly. He slams her back up against the wall again, cracking her head into the brick with a sickening thud. "And Caitlyn Deramore is your mother!" He screams slamming his fist into her nose causing it to crack loudly. Blood flew out of her mouth as she blearily looked back to the man. He slammed his fist straight into her gut, causing Dakota to buckle over his fist and wheeze out. "And I'm the sap whose seed you came from." His evil laughter shakes her to the core as she looks to the man with hate filled eyes.
Rage enters her bloodstream, coursing through her body as she tastes the coppery material in her mouth.
"I am Dakota Sampson!" She snarls viciously as she rises from her buckled form. She spits a globule of blood and saliva at his feet. "You do NOT know who I am!" She bellows in his face slamming her palms into his chest, pushing the large man away from her.
"Nicholas Connolly!" The sharp accent cuts through the storm flurrying around the two fighters. Caitlyn stands at the mouth of the alley, her rifle is placed against her shoulder, the laser sight aimed at his forehead. "You are under arrest for the assault of a minor and for the assault of an officer! Stand down with your hands on your head and kneeled facing the wall, or I will shoot!" She warns.
A loud sharp laugh comes from the man. "Speak of the She Devil and she appears!" He hisses. He turns his attention to Dakota with an evil look in his black eyes. He draws a pistol with blinking speed and presses it against her forehead.
Dakota does not flinch as she stares the man down. "Tell her sheriff! Tell her how I fucked you!"
"Nicholas Connolly drop the weapon now!" She orders, keeping her voice authoritative. She takes careful steps forward, keeping the muzzle of the rifle steady. Her icy eyes are focused as she waits patiently for him to drop the weapon.
Dakota squares her shoulders. She presses her forehead into barrell as she clenches and unclenches her fists. "C'mon, Nicholas. " She breathes. "You've got no way out of this." She says under her breath. "Either shoot me, and get charged with cold blooded murder, or put it down and get charged with assault. Either way, you will be charged with something." She growls, keeping Nicholas's attention on her.
A flash of pink hits her sightline, but she does not flick her eyes to it. She keeps a steady gaze that captures the man's angered attention toward her.
Time slows as Vi's strong arms go around the man's neck. Dakota ducks low, her hands going to the pistol and pushing it up so that it fires off into the upper part of the alley way. She slams her elbow into his chest, hitting his sternum with extreme force. Vi squeezes her arms together closing off Nicholas's airway. Dakota twists at the man's wrists causing him to drop the pistol and into her grip. She quickly dislodges the magazine, throwing the cartridge off to the side. She sets the safety and places it down on the cement. She kicks it toward Caitlyn's feet, and helps Vi bring the man onto his stomach.
Caitlyn lowers the rifle as she reaches behind her and throws a pair of handcuffs Vi's way. The pinkette catches it easily, pressing her knee into the center of his shoulder blades. Dakota keeps the writhing man in place as Vi cuffs the criminal's hands behind his back. "You have the right to remain silent, anything can and will be held against you at the court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one, we will have one appointed for you." Vi begins as she iterates the criminal's rights as she marches him out of the alley and to the waiting police cruisers, their lights flashing off of the rain and brick walls.
Dakota bends low, resting on the balls of her feet. She slides her fingers through her hair, taking deep breaths and counting up her injuries. She definitely had cracked a few ribs. Her palms, shake as blood and rain mix through the torn skin. Blood drips from her broken nose, falling to the snow covered ground and marking it in scarlet.
She sighs heavily when she hears the sheriff's boots approach her.
"Dakota," Caitlyn begins. "Are you okay?" She asks, standing in front of the teenager.
Dakota looks up to the sheriff with intense icy hues. "Tell me what he said was false!" She demands quickly, rising from her crouch. She winces as her ribs stretch with her movements.
"Dakota I-" Caitlyn stutters.
"Tell me." She snarls. "Tell me that he attacked me because of some delusion. Tell me he was spewing something he had made up just to have an excuse to have his way with me. Tell me that this was some random thing, that a man I have never met before in my life, claimed that he was actually my father."
Caitlyn frowns. The sheriff hugs herself self consciously, trying to fight off the cold from Dakota and the weather. Tears line at her eyes as she looks away from the teen.
She never wanted it to be this way. She never wanted Dakota to find out like this.
"Dakota I-" Caitlyn begins, her voice cracking at the final syllable. "I can't." She whispers out, tears lining her cheeks as snow cascades down on them. She looks down to her feet as her heart tears out of her chest. "He- I." She finally breaks down. Her sobs tear into the blood soaked alleyway. "Everything he said was true!" She admits pressing her palms into her eyes. "I was attacked, Dakota. He attacked me because I was an easy revenge plot."
She finally looks up to Dakota, who is frozen in place. Caitlyn takes a step toward the soldier, reaching her arm out to the girl, who instantly backs up. "Don't touch me!" She barks out, causing Caitlyn to recoil instantly.
"I didn't mean for it to be like this!" Caitlyn explains.
"No but you kept this from me! Who else knew?" Dakota demands. "Vi? Elric? Fuck, Abbie?" She screams.
"Not one of them knew," She lies. "Your parents and I kept it from you, so that you could live a happy life. I only wanted the best for you!"
"You lied to me!" Dakota screams.
"Dakota please, you need to understand this. I only wanted you to be safe." She reaches out again, trying desperately to touch the girl reassuringly.
The teen slaps the woman's hand away. "Don't fucking touch me!" She snaps. "I trusted you." She whispers out sadly. Betrayal lines her icy hues as she takes steps backward, her hands raised. "I can't believe you right now. I can't believe-." Her voice breaks as Caitlyn tries again to step near the girl.
"Don't fucking come near me ever again. Don't even talk to me ever again, you filthy fucking liar!" It's then that she turns on her heels and sprints out of the alleway, blowing past Vi who looks at the girl in surprise. Her face falls as she finds Caitlyn sobbing into her hands in the middle of the alleyway. The pinkette strides over to Caitlyn, collecting the raven haired woman in her arms. Caitlyn cries into Vi's shoulder.
"Easy, cupcake." Vi coos softly, stroking the sheriff's back reassuringly. "What happened babe?"
"You have to promise me, you will not be angry." Caitlyn hiccups, wiping her face in the fabric of Vi's hoodie.
"Why would I be angry, Cait?" Vi asks with a soft voice, kissing at her fiancee's forehead.
"I haven't been totally honest with you." Caitlyn admits. "I have to tell you something."
"Cait, you know I'll always have your six no matter what. I tell you what. Let's get you some tea, and we'll talk." Vi suggests.
"But Dako-" Caitlyn begins.
"Is a big girl. She'll find her way home." Vi finishes. "Plus by the way she booked it out of there, she seems like she needs to figure some things out by let's get you somewhere warm, before ya freeze to death, cupcake."
***********************************************************/)(\**********************************************
(thirty minutes later) {Imogen Heap-Entanglement}
She's never felt this angry before in her entire life. Everything she knew and loved was a complete and total lie.
How could she keep something like this from her? How could someone she trust turn her world upside down so easily?
She throws open the door to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She kicks her boots off her feet and throws her canvas winter jacket onto her made bed. She peels the piltover customs tank top off of her body and throws it angrily to the hamper. She looks to her abdomen and swears angrily at the bruising starting around her chest and stomach.
"For fuck's sakes!" She screams angrily, kicking at the garbage can that resides by her desk. She slumps herself into the stool holding her head in her hands.
Her keen ears catch the sound of knuckles brushing against the door frame. "Fuck off!" She yells at the intruder.
"That is awfully rude of you, Dakota." Illya's voice is muffled from behind the door.
"Leave me alone, Illya!" Dakota growls.
"Open the door, darling. I sense that you are downright pissed."
"Thank you sherlock, for deducing such an obvious statement!" Dakota bellows back.
"By the void you are in a sassy mood today." Illya snorts from behind the door.
The two girls are silent for a moment.
Illya sighs at the door. She looks at the door frame, tracing the way the crown moulding barriers the door from the wall. "Look, Dakota, I'm not good with this whole, talking thing, but I can tell you're pissed about something. Let me be your shoulder to punch on or whatever it is."
She counts the seconds as they pass by. Finally, the door clicks open and Dakota presents her room to Illya. The Noxian looks at the shirtless girl, who pulls a long sleeved knit t-shirt over her scarred and bruised torso. Dakota's expression is annoyed as she steps aside and sits at her desk. Her hands instantly start to busy themselves with pieces of hextech.
"Those bruises looked pretty nasty and fresh." Illya remarks as she carefully steps into Dakota's personal lair. "And by the dried blood on your jacket it seems like you got into quite the fight. How does your nose feel?"
Dakota freezes, her fingers are halfway from placing a new joint in for her hextech bug.
"So you did get in a fight."
"It was with my biological father." Her voice is flat and cold and it sends a shiver down her spine.
"Ahh, so you finally figured it out huh?" Illya seats herself onto Dakota's bed crossing her legs and resting her head on her fist.
Dakota's spine goes stiff at the Noxian's statement. "What do you mean?" It's almost a snarl, but Dakota closes her eyes to calm herself.
Illya smirks. This was going to be rich.
"I mean, you and Elric don't even look alike. I put two and two together when I saw the way the sheriff acted around you. I understand from your perspective, you wouldn't be able to see the similarities the two of you share. Frankly, I'm surprised Vi hadn't figured it out yet." Illya rolls her eyes as she breathes at her loose bangs that fall in front of her face.
Dakota is quiet. She breathes slowly, trying to calm the anger rising in her body. She begins to busy herself again, picking apart the gears and adjusting pins.
Illya cocks her head to the side as Dakota goes through her calming process. She watches intently as carefully, the Piltovian in front of her, works through her inner thoughts. It must be hell learning that your life had been an entire lie. That her family, wasn't even her family. The family that she grieved and loved, wasn't even her own.
What a shame.
Slowly Illya rises from Dakota's bed. She pads along the carpeting, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Dakota." Illya says softly, placing her hand gently on the girl's shoulder. The soldier freezes under her touch. "Dakota," She repeats, catching the girl's attention. Emerald catches ice and even though Dakota is hiding her pain, she can see the hurt in the girl's eyes.
She tips the soldier's chin upward with two fingers as she let's her eyes rove over her face. "I'm not good with this whole emotional thing. It's not a Noxian's forte." She whispered quietly, letting her hand slip to Dakota's jawline. "But I want you to know, I am here for you. These past couple of months, I have learned so much from you and I've grown as a person. You've helped me see that strength is not the only thing to live for." She straddles Dakota's lap, causing the girl to swallow nervously.
The Noxian wraps her small arms around Dakota's swan like neck and embraces the soldier tightly. She can feel the hesitation, before Dakota reciprocates the embrace. Illya nuzzles into her shoulder. She begins to place small gentle pecks along the side of her neck, making the girl underneath her shiver. Eventually her trail leads to her jawline and Dakota meets her in the middle, crashing their lips together in a heated exchange.
It takes Illya by surprise that the soldier would take them a step further, but soon her emerald hues flutter closed and she loses herself in the heat of the kiss. Dakota stands then, lifting the girl so that Illya's legs are wrapped around her waist. The Noxian's fingers tangle with Dakota's raven black hair. She groans in the back of her throat as Dakota's tongue traces her upper lip. Illya breaks from the kiss, panting as she tries to catch her breath. Dakota goes to her neck, gently nipping at the skin.
The two girls fall into the bed, pressing their lips and bodies together. Dakota's anger turns into passion as she kisses the Noxian deeply. Illya grabs at Dakota's shirt, pulling it over her head. Dakota's fingers go straight to the buttons on Illya's shirt, quickly and efficiently unbuttoning them with her dexterous fingers. She pushes the white fabric away and places small kisses or her collarbone, nipping at the skin, causing the Noxian to close her eyes at the feeling.
She was not expecting this. Illya did not expect this to work, but by the gods, she was so thankful it did. Dakota had hit her breaking point and all she wanted to do was forget herself. To lose herself in another human being.
And Illya was more than willing to help her lose herself.
Especially, if Dakota was going to kiss her like that the entire night. The Piltovian had made her breathless so easily, and in the back of her mind, it scared her, that Dakota obtained that power.
Only Tobias Ritcher, could make her do that.
She shook her head mentally.
No she would not think of Ritcher in the middle of Dakota displaying this vulnerability to her. She had to focus on the girl, the girl she was trying desperately to gain the attention of.
She grinned to herself as Dakota began to trail her lips down the sides of her abdomen and nips at her hip bones. The Piltovian came back up to press her forehead to the Noxian, breathing heavily, ice locked with emerald.
"Illya?" She breathed out, her fingers hovered above the waistband of the Noxian's sweatpants.
"Yes, darling Dakota?" Illya replied squirming at the ticklish sensation. She pressed her face into the side of Dakota's neck and captured the girl's earlobe with her teeth, causing the soldier to shiver.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Dakota asked.
"Of course," Illya breathed out as the soldier's fingertips roamed along her toned stomach. "Gods Dakota, stop teasing me." Illya growled, pulling the girl's face to hers pressing their lips hungrily together. She clawed down the soldier's back as the soldier obliged.
Illya's gasp was like music to the soldier's ears and it caused a playful smirk to grace Dakota's lips.
"Smirk all you want now." Illya breathed squirming under Dakota's amazing touch. "But I am going to wipe it off by the end of the nig- Oh gods Dakota." She moaned pressing her forehead into the Piltovian's bare shoulder.
"You were saying?" Dakota teased, her anger and sadness lost to the winds of something more primal.
"Fuck off and get undressed already!" Illya growled.